The Garden of Shadows

On my way back to the bakery, I noticed a suspicious person following me. It was obvious with the hat, scarf, and sunglasses (a pitiful excuse of a disguise) that they wanted their identity hidden. I was getting ready to make a turn towards an empty alleyway and confront them with a surprise attack when a familiar voice caught me off-guard.

“Hey! Psst… Remina!” said the disguised person.

“Cornelia?” I was surprised when I recognised Salamander’s older sister. “You look suspicious as hell.”

She pulled me to the alley where there was nobody around. “I’ve been looking for you. I heard someone from the academy got arrested for the murder of a girl. Is it true?”

“Did you seriously just drag me out here for some gossip?” I folded my arms.

“Of course not! I want to ask about my little brother. How is he doing?”

“He’s alive and well… and thoroughly addicted to a certain historical romance novel.”

She was satisfied with the news. “That’s good. That means he’s conscious then.”

“But why are you coming to me instead of him?” It seemed strange to me that she wouldn’t just go see him at his apprenticeship place if she wanted to avoid the hotel.

She was a little embarrassed. “I… I’m not ready to face him yet. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t forced him to go. He’s going to scold me when he sees me.”

“You’re going to have to face him eventually. You still owe him an explanation for what happened.”

“Just so you know, I’m on the good side. I’m trying to recover a lost family heirloom that’s too dangerous out there for the world. For some reason the museum thought it was a good idea to put it on display,” she insisted, but I wasn’t buying it.

“Anyway, how about I help you reconnect with your brother?” I offered.

“You will? That’s so nice of you!” She was happy about it.

“Come with me.” I led her to the bakery where Salamander and the others were still at the same table where I last left them. She willingly followed without realising that I was leading her straight to him.

“Well, look who decided to show up?” Salamander smiled threateningly as soon as he saw his sister. “I hope you’ve readied your story for that night.”

“Reconnection done,” I declared my mission accomplished.

“Remina! This was not what I had in mind!” Cornelia complained.

She then turned towards her brother. “Aidan, I am terribly sorry for what happened at the party. I didn’t believe such a thing would happen. Nobody usually makes a huge scene during high profile events.”

“Tell us honestly. Who is targeting you?” Salamander went straight to the point and wouldn’t have any of her excuses.

“I don’t know, but I believe it’s Crowe.”

“Not Clementine?”

“I haven’t ruled that possibility out. Whoever tried to assassinate me is the same one who had Ophelia killed. That I’m certain of.”

“Tell us everything you know about the Garden of Shadows.”

“We haven’t seen each other in a while and interrogating me is the first thing you do?” she complained. “You didn’t even ask how I am doing.”

He folded his arms. “Don’t ignore my question.”

“Remina…” She turned to me for help.

I guarded the path to the exit. “You’re not leaving until you answer all of our questions.”

“You’re seriously taking me hostage?” She looked at both of us in disbelief.

“Yes,” Salamander and I replied in unison without any hesitation.

“This is getting good…” Prof. Alice whispered to Toad as they watched from the side.

Cornelia gave up. “Fine.”

The information she gave us more or less matched what both Clementine and Mr. Crowe revealed to us so far. Neither of them lied to us about the Garden of Shadows at least, but at what point did their manipulation start? One of them isn’t telling the whole truth, but who?

Once she was done giving her explanation, Salamander followed it up with: “There’s one more thing we need to know: Why did you join the heist in the first place?”

“I was approached by Clementine, who was still in good terms with Mr. Crowe at that time. I was only invited because of my blood. They needed another person who could enter the domain. I didn’t get to stay long enough to hear the whole plan, but there was a mechanism involved in opening the gate that required extra people. Obviously, I wanted the fruit as well, so I accepted. Who wouldn’t want immortality?”

“Didn’t you ever wonder why nobody from our family ever attempted to take the fruit for themselves besides you?”

Cornelia obviously didn’t consider it. “You think it’s a myth?”

“Possibly. That or there’s something else stopping them. The Garden of Shadows was always deemed dangerous, but nobody ever says why. I was hoping you could clear that up for me, but you obviously don’t know as well.”

“I don’t want the fruit anymore. Especially when it means someone is after my head.”

Salamander’s attention then turned to me. “Now, will you explain to all of us why you suddenly decided to go shopping for tea?” His tone was not accusatory, but inviting.

“I met Clementine earlier,” I revealed. “It turns out she did run the tea shop as I expected.”

“You went to see Clementine? What did she say?” He was surprised and eager for some new information.

“She wanted us to withdraw from the heist and warned us not to associate with Mr. Crowe. She still intends to take the book for herself.”

“Heist? Wait, you’re siding with Crowe?” Cornelia was shocked. “You can’t be serious! You’ve seen how I was targeted! You must be out of your mind to involve yourself further in this.” She looked at both of us, waiting for an answer.

“We have no choice,” Salamander said.

“No choice? What do you mean?”

“Let’s just say your involvement dragged us deep into this mess too. I’d rather you not press me about it.” His tone was cold.

She decided not to press the topic. “Alright. Just… stay safe. You wouldn’t want our parents to worry.”

“I will.”

“You’re looking a bit pale. Are you sure you’ve fully recovered?” She was beginning to notice the physical manifestations of vampirism.

“It’s nothing to be worried about,” he dismissed it. “More importantly, are you being followed?”

She shook her head. “I’ve been in disguise this whole time.”

“Your disguise is terrible. Just stay out of sight, for your safety’s sake.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll stay hidden until all of this dies down. You better know what you’re doing,” she said as she stood up. “And Aidan… Thanks for risking your life for me. You’re a good brother.”

I stepped aside to let her pass.

“Please continue to watch over him,” she whispered to me before she left the store.

The moment she was gone, Toad looked at us. “So… who was that?”

I had some time to spare during lunch break, so I decided to pay Emma a visit. I wasn’t sure if I would be allowed to see her while she was being detained, but Detective Dufort surprisingly allowed it. He led me to a room with a table and two chairs where Emma and I could talk while being guarded. I had never seen her look so down. The way she sat on her chair made her look almost like the unsmiling subject of a still painting.

“Emma, I don’t have enough time. They’ve only allowed me a few minutes to speak with you, so I have to make this brief,” I began.

She nodded.

I softened my voice. “I saw what happened. There was a witness there who showed me. You don’t have to hide it from me anymore. I need you to give me any detail or hint that might help me find evidence to support your case. Anything you can think of.”

At first, her eyes widened in horror. Then, it turned to resignation. “There’s nothing left you can do for me, Remina. The trial is in a few hours.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Today? I thought it was on Friday?”

“That’s… the other trial. The one happening later is for my father’s murder.”

I was speechless. Of course, they’d discover those memories too.

“If I’m declared guilty in this trial, the other one won’t matter anymore. It will be an instant death sentence.” She forced a smile. “No matter what happens, I’m glad you came to see me. I’m able to have a chance to thank you for everything. It’s only been a few months, but the time I spent with you and Elliot was the best. Please pass on my thanks to Elliot as well.”

“Emma, we can’t give up just yet.” I don’t know where my hope was coming from, but I just refused to give up. I didn’t want to believe that this was already a lost cause.

She shook her head. “A few hours isn’t enough. All the evidence is stacked up against me. There’s nothing else you can do, Remina.”

“But Emma…” I hated the feeling of hopelessness.

“There are just some things you can’t fight against. There’s just not enough time.” She placed a hand over mine. “Please take care of yourself when I’m gone.”

“I’m sorry to cut your reunion short, but we have to begin preparations for the trial. It will begin at three o’clock if you’d like to attend it,” said Detective Dufort.

“I don’t get off my shift until five,” I replied.

“That’s unfortunate.”

I watched as Emma was being led out of the room. On my way out, I passed by Salamander who gave me two light pats on the shoulder without saying anything else. He probably just got back from his break and was on his way to see Detective Dufort.

It was hard to concentrate on building machinery with many things swirling in my head. Alistair had been observing me from the shop counter as I struggled to put together the final pieces of the magical puzzle device used to store small objects inside. Finally, I completed the build and tested it. It worked just as intended. Alistair nodded his head in approval.

“I heard there’s a trial today involving your classmate,” he suddenly said. “Would you like to attend it? You’re done with today’s work anyway. I can let you off early.” He checked the time. It was almost five o’clock. “Although you’re already late, you might still catch the verdict.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Alistair.”

“I hope things go well for your friend.” He smiled back. “Good luck.”

I hurriedly packed my things and left the antique shop. I ran towards the court house, entering it and joining the row of spectators standing near the entranceway. I was just in time to see the judge deliver the final verdict.

“The court hereby declares Emma Sweetblossom guilty for the murder of Bennett Sweetblossom and sentences her to death by hanging.”

The words felt like a large boulder landing on me. The current was flowing and I was powerless to stop it.

Reporters swarmed Emma and Detective Dufort at the front row, while the rest of the audience left the courtroom. I decided to take a seat in the last row, processing the coldness of reality and the unrelenting consequences of people’s actions.

“You must be Emma’s classmate.”

I looked up. A lady who looked familiar stood before me. I realised it was Emma’s mother.

“I’m sorry about what happened,” I said politely.

She sighed. “I knew this day would come.”

Then, something unexpected happened.

Time suddenly froze like the first day I received the ability to control magic. I looked around me cautiously. Nobody moved. They were all statues locked in a moment. I was once again face to face with the horned serpent. At first, I didn’t understand why it happened again until I realised what the serpent wanted me to do.

It wanted me to see something, from the perspective of Emma’s mother. I don’t know how I could tell, but I knew that’s what it wanted me to do when I met its piercing gaze. The moment I touched her hand, a flood of memories came forward, revealing a new truth to what happened.

I saw a memory of Emma discovering her mother with the dead body of her father lying on the floor. She was distressed to learn that her mother had resorted to murder. She feared for her life. What if she was next?

As Emma was sleeping, her mother poured the false memory potion on her and made her forget what happened, instead making her believe that she was the one who killed him.

She was framed. Her memories were false.

Why now? Why now when the verdict had already been delivered?

When time ran normally again, I quickly walked away to search for the only person I really trusted.