At Torsten Academy, gossip spread fast and Phoenie Rogan prided herself on being at the forefront of breaking news. It was her job as editor of impartial school newspaper Veritas to filter the truth from the lies, after all. Some rumours just weren’t worth following up, but even the most common of meagre relationship scandals helped Phoenie to understand and predict her audience. A break-up here and an affair there could cause an avalanche of social disorder and redefine the borders of cliques and social groups – and so too could a mere rumour. Delivering the truth, therefore, was a burden of responsibility and one that Phoenie relished having.

There were times, however, when people stopped talking about their trivial relationship issues and focused their attention on a single person or event. Times when the waves of gossip pulled back, waiting for an almighty tsunami to crash into the shore and change everything. Phoenie had known, from their first meeting, that Phantasia Celeste was going to be riding the crest of that tsunami and, in the back of her mind, Phoenie knew there was a very obvious reason why. For someone who prided herself on her memory for details, the past few months had been nothing but frustrating – nothing ever seemed to click! Maybe the stress was becoming too much for her…

The current situation wasn’t helping matters. She was sitting in the waiting room outside the staff area, attention fixed on the door to Mr Payne’s office. Phoenie had heard the news of Phantasia’s arrest as soon as it had happened, thanks to John Smith and the wonders of the Veritas intranet, and needed reassurance that someone was going to do something about it.

As soon as the headmaster opened his door, Phoenie jumped to her feet and strode into his office. It was an editor’s privilege, she’d always told herself, to be able to converse with the staff on an equal level.

“I have a feeling I know what you’re here for,” said My Payne, moving over to his coffee machine.

“I would hope so too!” she replied, taking the warm mug of coffee he offered her. Regular meetings to discuss Veritas meant Mr Payne knew just how Phoenie liked her caffeine top-up.

“I’m afraid there isn’t a lot I can do,” he said, sitting down and hunching over his desk, “Bishop Wotan wouldn’t take such drastic action without solid proof. If I were to move against his decision, it would taint the whole Academy’s reputation. Godhand would have the leverage they need to waltz in here and arrest countless staff members and pupils – you included, I’m sure,”

Phoenie chewed her lip. Of course she understood the politics of it all – that was her job – but that didn’t change her feelings.

Mr Payne sighed deeply and let his eyes wander around the room. “We’ve reached a turning point,” he explained, “The town council could easily fall into Godhand’s complete control – and they already have their sympathy – but it’s not a matter you should worry yourself about, Phoenie. You’re barely seventeen.”

“So,” she began, pushing the chair back with deliberate sloth as she stood up, “You’ll be leaving Ms. Celeste to the mercy of Godhand?”

Payne frowned and avoided her piercing stare. “We will be watching how the situation develops. I would advise you do the same,”

Phoenie nodded. “I’ll do my best, Sir,” she said, and although that was the logical choice, she couldn’t help wondering what alternatives there were – and there was always an alternative. The slight hint of a smile from Mr Payne as she left the room suggested to her that he knew just how difficult she’d find following his advice to be.

***

Chapter 15
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