Chapter Text
Simon
"He's a member of the Old Families," Penny whispers to me. Her eyes flick towards the new boy- his lean frame stalking through the dining hall. "His name is Radley Gallows."
"He looks like death," I say. His face is gaunt, ivory skin tight over sharp cheekbones.
Agatha rolls her eyes. "Honestly, Si. He's kind of attractive." She sighs, pursing her lips shut before more air can escape. I follow her gaze past Radley to Baz, who catches her looking and smirks, eyes traveling her face.
My chest gets tight. "You know," I cut in, "Just because we broke up doesn't mean you have to flirt with other guys in front of me."
Agatha winces. "Sorry."
She doesn't look sorry.
Radley is in my Magic Words class, as I soon find out. He takes the desk next to me, his grin as hollow as his eyes. I smile back.
"Simon Snow," he says, lip curling. Like Baz, only- Baz manages to make it look fucking glorious. Radley makes it look conniving.
Aleister Crowley, Simon, stop antagonising everyone, I hear Penny's voice saying, way in the back of my mind. I grimace. Am I really that judgemental?
"You're... Radley, right?" I reply, trying not to sound like I'd been talking about him for the entirety of lunch. My face grows hot when he doesn't immediately answer.
It takes a few seconds, but he lets out a quick breath. "Yes." Radley flattens his parchment on the desk, his bony fingers tapping. "I can't believe it," he mutters, as if in thought. He turns and smiles at me, thin-lipped. I find myself beaming back- maybe a new friend would be nice, considering the thin ice I have with Aggie.
"What?" I ask.
Radley tilts his head to look behind me. I spin around.
"Making new friends, Snow?" Baz taunts. His gray eyes ignite a cold stare onto Radley, who spits at him. Baz turns, raises an eyebrow ever-so-flawlessly, (the posh git) and sneers at me.
"I see you're still failing," Radley snaps at Baz.
Oh. They're not friends.
"What are you going on about?" Baz is quick to put his hand on his wand. "You shouldn't be here," he growls, teeth bared. I squint, searching for fangs. Baz notices me looking and promptly closes his mouth. "Bloody hell, Snow. Is there something you want to say? Use your words."
I clench my jaw, rage building. "Go away, Baz."
He leers at me, hand still hovering over his wand.
"You heard him," Radley stands up. He may be skinny, but his glare has Baz beat. "Fuck off."
Baz sneers again, twisting around and storming back to his seat.
I pull at my curls, frustrated. "Thanks for that. Sorry about him," I say, and Radley's eyes light up.
"Yes," he says, dragging a finger across the curve of the desk's wood. "I'm sorry, too."
"For what?"
Radley lifts his head, turning towards me. His vacant hazel eyes meet mine, sending an uneasy feeling across my skin. "I'm sorry," Radley continues, his voice low, "That Baz can't do his fucking job. He was supposed to ruin you."
I curl my hands into fists. "What- I know, he's been nothing but a prick-"
"No, Simon," Radley says. "Goodness, you're slow." He leans towards me. "Baz was supposed to ruin you. He failed." His pupils seem to slide to slits. "And I've been sent to take over that job for him."
"You can't kill me," I reply quickly, "I'm the Chosen One." It's a weak excuse- one I don't even buy.
Radley chuckles, his neck tightening with every breath. I bet the a breeze would blow him over, he's so skinny. "You're stupid," he grits, "If you think I'm going to kill you." His bony hands lock around my upper arm, and I try to pull away, but his grip is surprisingly strong. "I'm just going to let you suffer," Radley hisses, "Until you eventually break." I spit into his face, and Radley laughs. "I wouldn't do that, if I were you. I know spells you don't even know exist."
His other hand produces a wand. He holds it under the desk. "Hearts I've broke, now my tears flow." His voice pushes magic into me, and an overwhelming sadness fills my stomach.
My eyes burn. I'm suddenly remembering Philippa, and how she lost her voice, and it should have been me. I'm seeing Penny and Aggie getting hurt in past battles against the Humdrum. Boys at the care home scared of me because I was going off. "W-wh-at?" I choke out. What spell is this?
"Unless you want Penelope Bunce and Agatha Wellbelove hurt, you won't be telling the Mage about this," Radley whispers. "The spell will wear off in a few hours. But don't worry. There's more where that came from. And then he straightens. Plasters on a smile. Raises his hand. "Miss Possibelf? I think Simon's hurt or something."
I reach my hands up to my face, and they come away wet. How much am I crying?
Despair twists in my gut.
"Mr. Snow," Miss Possibelf's concerned is suddenly hanging in my view. "Simon? Are you quite alright?"
My fingers claw through my hair. Penny. Agatha. Philippa. Care home. "I need-"
Smoke wafts through the room, and my skin goes prickly. There's no way he can make me go off. That's not- is that possible?
"Simon," Miss Possibelf sounds nervous. "Why don't you stop by the infirmary?"
"He's going to go off," Dev says from across the room.
I push my chair back, tears blurring my vision. I have to get out I have to get out I can't go off this isn't possible- "I- go. Gonna- go."
I stumble through the room, my stomach swirling.
Radley's eyes burn through my head.
I barely make it back to Mummers House before I faint.