Chapter 4

It’s Monday, and Madelin is already in a sour mood. But it’s not just this time, but lately she seems to get irritated easily. She’s not sure why, but she could pinpoint it every time she’s in the council building for some reason.

“Hey… Madelin…”

She normally likes the place. The rustic ornaments akin to the sophisticated and well made designs of the Victorian era. It reminds her of her home before they moved to Doecroft.

“Madelin… I’m sorry already…”

These days she’s been moody for some reason. She gets irritated easily and lashes out quite quickly. Maybe it’s the stress of being the Council Secretary? She’s letting the pressure get to her. She aimed at a different seat in the council, being the secretary was not her plan at all. But she had to put up this facade, she can’t show him or everyone that the annoying president is getting to her.

“Madelin!” Nigel called, from outside the President’s office. He was holding a feather duster and cloth rag. “I’ve finished dusting off everything in the main hall… can I get to my real work now?”

“Good, now go clean the meeting room.” She blankly replied.

He awkwardly stood still by the door frame, “Uh… Can I just… do the paperwork I was supposed to-”

She glared at him with those amber eyes.

“Alright, I’m going.” He hastily went to the meeting room. Fucking hell, that woman is terrifying… he thought. He made sure he got up early and went to school as early as possible to do his paperwork. But absolute dread crawled up his spine as he went up the staircase; the light on his office was on, and the sound of paper flapping in short intervals. He slowly opened the office door, hesitating to actually get inside the office. He found Madelin sitting on her side of the office table, all with grace and poise, doing the paperwork he hid under his desk.

“Ummm…” He Greeted,”G-Good morning, Madelin…”

His greeting was ignored. He stood there for a few minutes sweating and contemplating his life’s journey. I should apologize…

“Go dust the furniture downstairs.” She ordered.

He hastily escaped downstairs and made sure to wipe down every corner. She’s the only person in the council, or the whole school, who he can’t seem to intimidate. Partly because they both know each other before everything changed.

Madelin only worked on these because some of these forms are needed today. Her intuition led her to believe that the president has not done his duties, but she gave him the benefit of the doubt. After going to school in the early hours as per usual, she was pleasantly surprised to find the unfinished documents under his desk. With each paper signed, her irritation grew. Signing her name as the secretary annoyed her. She had no plans to be working under Nigel, but it is better than nothing. She needs to have a connection with the Council, no matter what. She’ll just have to put in the work.

She finally got to the last piece of work. She placed the large stack of paper on his desk and went out for her morning classes. As she walked the balcony to the stairs, she noticed how shiny the floor was. The wooden railings of the balcony were polished to a shine. Not a lick of dust and cobwebs. The engraving on the wood shined like they were varnished yesterday. At the staircase, she carefully planted her feet on each step in fear she might slip on the newly polished wood. The main hall looked so clean and polished, the couches and tables were rearranged neatly, the whole room seemed brighter and less gloomy in general.

She did a quick look around, searching where might the president be cleaning at the moment. She silently followed the swishing of the feather duster and some faint humming. She found him wiping the windows of the kitchen, earphones on both ears. Madelin peeked through the open door, careful not to be seen. He was humming a tune, actively wiping down the dust off the window panes, and a smile on his face. The icy and cruel glow from his eyes is gone, his forced frown replaced with a relaxed grin. He looked happier than when he’s in the office.

She squinted at this sight. Still not in the mood, she can’t deal with Nigel at the moment. She decided to leave him be and went for the doors.

“He shouldn’t have become president.” She said to herself, and closed the council building's doors behind her.

It was Tuesday, Madelin always finds her reprieve in the Grand library. It’s a building dedicated to house books collected by the University over the years. Some books even span from the first few years of the school’s founding. Shelves and shelves of books acted as walls in a labyrinth made out of literature. The smell of old paper, wood and leather always stuck in the air. This building is as large as the founder’s office. Floors and rooms of books, some categorized by year, other shelves are completely randomized.

A lot of students visit the library everyday. But not many reach the third floor, and she doesn’t have that many friends. Well, she has one, but she hasn't returned yet. Remembering that kind of made her sad. She sat alone near the window facing the front of the Founder’s Building. She’s been waiting for the Rector to come out of the door, but no luck. She had been scouting the location as long as she had been in the university, but not once did she catch a glimpse of the head of the whole school. But she did see only one person constantly go inside.

She frowned as she noticed Nigel’s dark hair mixed with the others, going straight towards the building. Without even a knock, he opened the doors and went inside. She tried to do this as well, but the door is always locked. She even tried just after he got inside but no luck. She even planted small surveillance cameras around the whole building, and yet they got dispatched with the last video feed showing Nigel’s face. She doubts he even knows who put them up. She has been pondering why he can get inside there, maybe it’s only because he’s the president. But the one thing she has to know is who the current university rector is.

The sound of footsteps shook her out of her thoughts.

“I’m telling you! There’s a weird book in here! You have to see it.” A familiar voice said.

“Are you calling the books in the history section weird?” another one asked.

Abby Valerianov and Sumaya Boustani stepped out of the staircase and into the third floor.

“No, I mean like, it glows and stuff!” Abby protested.

“What?”

“Yeah! That’s why I have to show it to you!”

“Wha-Why didn’t you just borrow the book and showed it to me?”

“The bells rang just as I found it, I hadn’t had the time. But I swear it’s really weird and creepy!”

Madelin could see Sumaya tilt her head at her friend. The library may seem mystical, but Madelin had no knowledge of a book that glows. In all her time spent, it was the first time she’s heard about such. Unless…

She wondered if that’s the only reason these two visited the library, though it seems they are quite acquainted with the building. Not many students reach the third floor, nor do they read the books here.

Both girls were chatting it up, peering through the bookshelves and reading through the book covers. They hadn't noticed Madelin sitting by the window. She pondered whether to let the girls do their thing or have her presence be known to them. She decided to take a more polite approach.

“Good Morning, miss Valerianov, miss Boustani.” She greeted them.

The girls stiffened like wood as soon as they heard her voice. They turned towards her direction with shock, they walked towards her desk.

“Good morning, Miss secretary!” both them greeted back

“Oh, there’s no need to be so formal.” Madelin smiled, “Just call me ‘Madelin’, we are schoolmates after all.” she closed the book she was reading, “Please have a seat with me.”

“Sure!”

“We’d be happy to!”

Both of them acquiesced. Abby sat near her, while Sumaya took the chair opposite of the desk.

“So, how are you girls?” She inquired.

“We’re fine I guess.” Abby replied, looking at Sumaya who nodded in agreement.

“I’m sticking with her for now.” Sumaya added, “Yesterday she got lost trying to find her way back to the high-school buildings from this library.”

“Yeah, I still need a tour of this place before I can get around independently.”

Madelin nodded, “Ah, I can relate… I got lost a few times myself the first time I transferred in.” She tilted her head towards Abby, “but what’s this talk about independence? couldn’t you two just stick together?”

“No, I can’t be a burden to Maya,” Abby smiled, “She’s running for high school representative!”

“Oh, Wow.” Madelin smiled brightly. The position was supposed to last for the duration of high school, but the last representative rescinded his seat to prepare for his college entrance exams. That or he was just scared of Nigel. “That’s great, we could always need more brilliant students in the council! I guess I know who I'm rooting for this year.”

Abby cheered, while her friend visibly blushed. Sumaya Boustani has an impressive record of achievements under her belt; she had four pins, two of each she pinned on her coat sleeves. Not only that, she’s a legacy, a daughter of an alumni and has been with the institution since elementary school. She’d be an excellent addition to the council.

“She’ll make a great representative!”Abby grinned, ‘Whatever that is…”

“How about you, Abby?” Madelin asked, “Do you have any plans?”

She fiddled with a thick of her hair, making a hesitant expression. “I don’t know… I don’t really have plans on anything right now. The list of activities and clubs Nigel gave me was too overwhelming.”

“Ah, don’t worry.” Madelin patted her fluffy golden hair, “You’ll find your own way to enjoy your high-school.”

“Hehe, thanks miss Madelin.” she beamed.

Ever since she’d seen Abby Valerianov, Madelin immediately found a liking to her. A lone girl tackling on Doecroft by herself, given absolute freedom in the big city. She can sense some unbreakable spirit in her, a brave soul among the crowd. She saw how she threw a shoe at the president. Madelin was barely able to stifle her laughter that moment. Maybe Abby had not comprehended the grace relevance of the council, or maybe she simply does not care. She earned Madelin’s respect that day. Now, she would actively spark a conversation with her.

As Abby parted her hair to the side, Madelin saw something.

“Oh?” Madelin noticed, for some reason, there was a straight vertical line drawn exactly on the center of Abby’s forehead. Was she pranked? Did she not notice this smudge on her face? “Abby, you have some smudge on your forehead.” Madelin pulled out her handkerchief and leaned in to wipe it off.

“Huh?! I have?!” She touched the side of her forehead, missing the line completely. She let madelin wipe it out.

As the handkerchief touched Abby's forehead, instead of a smooth surface, she felt something else. Her fingers tingled as they felt two edges of skin close together, like a wound or…

A slit? She furrowed her eyebrows, she slowly wiped down and realized it was not coming off. Abby’s supple skin really had a slit on her forehead. It went down through the center of her forehead and barely stopped before reaching her eyebrows. It wasn’t like a wound or a slice. It looked like…

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“Is it gone now?” Abby touched her forehead, and took out her phone to look at it herself. The slit was gone as soon as Abby took away her fingers. She inspected herself carefully through the phone’s front camera. “Oh I hope no one saw that, what was it?”

Sumaya leaned in closer to her friend and squinted at her, “I… I hadn’t noticed.”

Madelin wasn’t sure what to tell them. She had a disappearing slit on her head? She could almost see their confused faces.

“It was just a small smudge.” She lied, “Maybe you’ve accidentally scribbled yourself while studying?”

“Huh… maybe…” Puzzled, Abby touched her forehead again.

Madelin herself was confused as well. Was she feeling tired? Was she just seeing things? She stared at Abby more closely, maybe a little bit too much.

“Um…” Abby stared back with those emerald eyes, “Do I still have something on my face?”

Madelin blinked, “Oh nothing…” She will have to do some digging later. “Anyway, what brought you girls to the library?”

“Abby was gonna show me…” Sumaya turned to Abby, “A glowing book?”

Abby’s eyes widened. “Oh right! That book!”

“Why, what’s it about?” Madelin asked..

“I don’t know! I haven’t opened it yet!” Abby stood up from her seat. “Let’s go I’ll show you!”

Abby led them both further in between the bookshelves of the third floor. The tall wooden shelves loomed over them. The dim lights of lamps and chandeliers could barely light their way. They reached the back of the room. There was a duo of desks and chairs on that side of the room, topped with a reading lamp. The light above flickered every few seconds. The place seemed dark and eerie.

“How did you even know this place?” Sumaya looked uncomfortable.

“I took a nap here the first day of school.” Abby nonchalantly said.

Sumaya turned to Madelin, she gave her an impressed smile and shrugged.

Abby walked towards a shelf and pointed to a single book, “Wait, it’s not glowing now.”

Madelin inspected the book more closely. It was a large book. It was hard bound and old looking, the writing on the spine has faded away and unintelligible. “This one? It’s not glowing though…” she pointed out.

“I-I swear, the first time I saw it it was glowing!” She insisted.

“I think the lack of lighting messed with your eyes, Abby.” Madelin finger the sides if the book and pulled it out the shelf, “You should avoid reading in a dark place like-”

The book had cryptic symbols engraved into the whole surface of the hard cover. The hairs behind her neck stood up as she recognized most of these icons. The cover was warm and had a weird consistency, almost like touching... human skin.The room seemed colder, the lights flickered even more.

A grimoire! She panicked as she held the cursed book. She almost dropped the book from the shock. Her fingers tingled and her skin crawled as she held the cursed object. Felt cold and gaunt, like the skin of a corpse going through rigor mortis. How did this get here? Did someone put it in here? Has anyone opened it yet? I-

“What kind of book is it?” Abby's question shook her out of the panic.

“It’s…” Madelin swallowed the lump in her throat, she made sure not to let both girls get a look of the cover. “It’s an interesting book… It-It’s the record of previous rectors of the past 50 years.” She made sure to make a subject that might not get the girl’s interests. She must absolutely cannot allow to have the book opened-

“Oh! That sounds interesting!” Sumaya looked at the book, “The rectors are a really secretive bunch, we might learn something from them!.”

Shit, she cursed. She just dug herself into an even worse position. She racked her mind on how to distract them.

“That’s kinda boring.” Abby blurted out her disappointment, much to Madelin’s relief. “ I expected something amazing. Like a treasure map or something. Maybe my eyes were really just adjusting to the darkness back then.” She rubbed her eyes.

You did find something amazingly dangerous, actually… Madelin thought to herself.

“Treasure map? What are you, twe-” Sumaya grabbed her hands. “Hey, don’t do that! You'll damage your eyes even more!”

The two girls playfully argued with each other, Madelin took the chance and pushed the book back into the shelf. The cold darkness seemed to recede.

“Alright girls,” She commanded, “How about we go back to our desk by the window and enjoy the rest of the day?”

“Yeah sure!” Abby agreed, “We’ll read the book on another day.”

She made a note to come back after the girls leave; after the whole library closes. That book will cause unimaginable problems once someone will find and open it. She looked above her, and there were no apparent security cameras around this part of the library. No one will know and notice. The problem is...

Who put this in here?, Madelin thought, Will they go back and try to get it again?.

She couldn't believe that thing was just hiding under very close to her, and most importantly she didn’t even know. She decided to put close surveillance on this spot from this day onwards, waiting for whoever left this abomination in her most favorite place inside the school.

“Well! That’s for today’s itinerary.” The Council president, Nigel Volkhard, tapped a stack of paper on the table, “Does anyone have any questions?”

It was Wednesday, and the Student council meeting had just adjourned. Madelin still had her mind on the situation yesterday. Not on the grimoire, but on Abby. How was she able to find that book? It looked like any other old book in that library, but she was able to single it out from the rest. She could’ve never known such a dangerous object is just lying around the campus. Chills ran down her pine. What could've happened if I wasn't there with them? She shivered at the thought.

The council members stirred in their seats.

“Yes.” The Council Treasurer, Anton Berkeley, raised his hand. “Where’s the vice president?”

“Still overseas.” Nigel replied, “She’s representing the University for various competitions. I think I have a list.”, he started to rummage through his drawer.

“No.” Anton interjected, “No, it’s fine.”

“When will she come back?” The College of Finance representative, Alisha Park, asked.

“A month or so.”

“Will she be here before the planning of the University week?”

“The university week is still a few months away.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared. Usually the council has already planned the activities by now.” Alisha said, the other council members murmured among themselves.

“I’ve got things covered, don’t worry.” Nigel leaned back on his chair and clasped his fingers. “Plans have been already made.”

Oh really? Madelin thought.

“Really? Can we hear this plan of yours?” She continued to pry, “I hope this isn’t just a bluff?”

“i assure you it’s not, Miss Park.” Nigel grinned, “You’ll have to trust me on that.”

Alisha squinted, “It would be beneficial for the whole council if you would share your plans, sir president.”

Miss Park is one of those who are discontent with Nigel seated as president. If anything, that’s the only thing the majority of the council can agree.on these days. She’s the only one who is more vocal about her disapproval though.

“I will… in time.”Nigel assured, he waved his hand in this carefree gesture. “It’s gonna be fine. The university week is still far away, let’s just enjoy ourselves for a while.”

The council was silent. The atmosphere was heavy with discomfort. Madelin observed each of the council member’s, all of them sullen and staring at their papers. The president simply looked bored.

“Well, let’s adjourn this meeting. Shall we?” Nigel stood up, bowed his head. “Thank you for your time.”

The council members clumped into groups and exited the meeting room. Alisha Park went out last.

“Please have the next meeting when the vice president has come back.” She said, “We’d prefer that we’d have her input as well.”

They’d rather listen to her, Madelin translated. It was quite a subtle and discreet way to air her opinion towards the head of the council. But Nigel, as cunning as he is, could read through the lines just as clearly.

“Oh, I miss her too, Miss Park.” He grinned, “But I’ll always need your criticism to keep me in check during our short meetings. See you next Wednesday.”

Alisha frowned and closed the door behind her.

Nigel groaned, he took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Man, that meeting took a bit longer than I expected.”

“I think you should do what Alisha said, do a meeting only when the vice president is around.” Madelin said as she collected the papers on the table.

He chuckled, “No. As tempting as that sounds, I'll look like I'm slacking around. That won't score me a point for their confidence.”

"They have zero confidence in you", she said, though she believes he already knows that.

"Yeah, well..." He shrugged, "It isn't always as easy, isn't it?"

They both switched to the office. Madelin tucked the papers in one of the file cabinets, while Nigel went through the week’s paperwork. He furrowed his eyebrows at the reports.

“What do you think of Alisha Park?” Madelin asked, trying to goad him. “She seems very vocal against you. She might be a problem…”

Nigel wasn’t even interested, “No it’s fine. It’s quite admirable actually. She’s the only brave soul in that meeting room, I'd prefer if all of them were like her.” he said as he flipped through the papers. “I really wish they’d realize I’m not that bad.”

Madelin raised an eyebrow at him. The council in this state won’t produce great results. The mood of every meeting is dreadful. The members are either too afraid of or don't like the president just enough to stifle communication. The new president is rather uninterested with his duties, implements changes and regulations without the approval of the council, and has essentially made himself look like a megalomaniac. Rumour has spread throughout the school about his draconian nature, this resulted to further his infamy. If they only knew what this guy actually is. It confuses her that this guy got the endorsement from not only the last president, whom he had bad blood, but from the Rector also. This person is not fit for the position.

“Are you... going to do something about it?” She inquired.

He set his papers on the table with a confused look, “About what?”

She gestures a hand towards him with a quizzical shrug.

“Oh….” His lip was a straight line, “Yeah, I have no clue…”

“Of course…”

“Wha- what am I supposed to do?” He placed both hands on the table, “If you haven’t noticed, everyone hates me. What am I to do? Literally bend over backwards? I doubt that’ll work. Also, that’s embarrassing.”

“And who’s fault is that?”

“Well… It’s not mine.” He tilted his head, “I just did what I did, and well…”

“Are you not gonna admit to blackmailing the last president?”

“Do you really believe that rumour?”

“Yes…”

NIgel stared at her. His face was expressionless as a statue. She somewhat got chills as he peered at her through his glasses, there was some emotion behind those eyes. He took off his glasses and placed them at the table, he stood up from his chair and slid it back into the desk. She’s starting to get unnerved.

“Well…”, he leaned on the headrest of his chair, “You’re right.”

“What?!” She snapped, putting one foot forward.

“It’s true. I did blackmail the last president.” He confirmed nonchalantly.

The face Madelin made must have been absolutely confounded, enough to make The president laugh. Was he just pulling my strings? Is he serious? Why is he telling me? A lot more questions ran through her head, but none were voiced out. He just told her a key to his undoing.

“I thought you believed the rumors?” He asked in between his chuckles, “It seems like you actually got some hope for me.”

“I had…” She grabbed her bag, and went for the door. She now had reason and proof to have this bastard off the seat. “Now, I have hope to save this council from you.”

Before she could reach the door, she heard him open his drawer and took out a shining peice of golden paper. He turned on the school intercom. Madelin could imagine every speaker in the school blaring to life.

“I, Nigel Volkhard, the Supreme Student Council President and right hand seat of the Rector,” She jumped a little as he announced her name; It was the first time she heard him in this heavy tone.

“-would like to propose an official writ and contract, written unto the golden page that is to symbolize the absolute veracity and integrity to the council and university, to the Secretary of the Supreme Student Council, Madelin Rheingold.”

She swallowed a lump in her throat. She knows he’s trying to pull something. There was a reason why he told her that secret.

“A month from now, she will judge the actions and feats of yours truly, whether I am truly worthy of the seat of presidency. If I prove my worth to the secretary, with her integrity and honest judgement; I will retain my position as president. But, if through her own eyes, I do not satisfy the standards for such an esteemed honor-”

He took out a cutter from his drawer, looked straight at Madelin, and slit a wound on his thumb without flinching.

“I will rescind my position to the contract holder, with proof for my unhonorable unseating. Hereby signed with the name and blood of the Volkhards.” He thumb marked the contract with his blood, “Does Madelin Rheingold accept?”

He tossed the cutter across the room, Madelin caught it midway through as she confidently walked towards the desk, her heels tapped the wooden floor.

He knew she had her eyes for the seat of presidency, maybe even before the elections. He wasn’t stupid, he was just feigning ignorance. But why did he appoint Madelin as the secretary, knowing fully well she wasn’t and will never be on his side? What is his end goal?

She put her thoughts at the back of her mind. This was her chance. It was given to her in a golden platter, or paper. With confidence in her stride, she bled her thumb using the same cutter.

“I, Madelin Rheingold, Secretary to the Supreme Student Council,” She pressed her thumb unto the paper right next to his, staring right into his blue eyes to confirm her challenge against him. The paper seemed hot under her thumb, but she chalked it off as the pain from her wound.``Accept the contract, hereby signed with the name and blood of the Rheingolds.”

He put on his glasses back and grinned, “With the University of St. Thomas as our witness,” He folded the golden paper and inserted it into an envelope , and sealed it with molten wax he prepared in advance. “I announce the contract, sealed.”

Madelin sanitized her wound with alcohol and took a band aid from the first aid kit. “You just put the presidency into a gamble, and I won't leave you unscathed.” she threatened with a smile on her face.

“No, this isn’t a gamble.” Nigel passively sucked on his wound.

Madelin went for the door, “A month is enough time to pack your things… Better start tonight.”

He sat back down his chair with a huge grin on his face, which annoyed her even more. It almost feels like it’s all game for him. Does he even realize how severe this situation Is for him?

“Ah… Looks like this is going to be a fun month.” He reclined back on his chair and spun, without a care in the world.