Chapter Five
"So really," Nick said, grinning at Kurt as he and Jeff had joined the boy and Trent at the dining table. "How did you manage to get away with coming here this late?"
Trent snorted. "He used nerd tactics."
Jeff looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, and then his face lit up. "Magic the Gathering?"
Nick gawked at his best friend for a moment. "Okay, I wasn't aware you knew about that card game, Jeffrey Sterling."
"I'm not really," the blonde boy said. "But that kid, Craig, in my biology class goes on about it for the entire period sometimes."
"If you tell me they actually have a tournament for it here this weekend, I will drop dead," Trent said.
"I don't think they actually have tournaments for Magic the Gathering," Kurt answered.
Nick shook his head. "Not true. Lot's of trading card games have tournaments. I went to a few Harry Potter and Pokemon ones when I was a kid. Magic the Gathering is one of the biggest TCGs out there. So I'm pretty sure it does have tournaments."
Kurt almost choked on his bite of salad. "Okay, and I thought I would never know anyone more nerdish than Artie and Sam."
"I was a kid!" Nick defended. "Besides, you can't smite me for the Harry Potter ones."
Kurt had no response for that, but even if he had had one, it would have been cut off as a strong gust of wind suddenly blew through the dining hall. As he glanced around in surprise, he noted that the majority of the boys in the room didn't even seem to notice the wind. He frowned. "What was that?"
"What was what?" Jeff asked, frowning. He caught Trent's eye, but quickly looked away, trying to act normal.
Kurt looked back at him, the frown deepening. "I know you felt that, I saw the look you and Nick just exchanged, and the way you looked at Trent when I asked about it."
Jeff lowered his voice. "First of all, only other witches would have been aware, so if you didn't believe you had magic, yet, well congratulations. Secondly, I'm not sure you actually want to know what that was."
"If I didn't want to know, I wouldn't have asked. You say I'm supposed to be some kind of long lost heir to one of your precious founding lines, so don't treat me with kid gloves here. What was that?"
It was Trent who replied, letting out a sigh. "It's Founders Lines, not founding lines. And that was David casting a revealing spell. They must have discovered something while examining Blaine."
"What is a revealing spell?" Kurt asked carefully.
Nick was the one who answered this time. "It's a way for David to tell if there are any imposters in the vicinity. The spell calls them out."
Kurt studied each of their faces. "So, did it find any imposters?"
"You'll have to ask David that later. He's the only one who can see the result. He created the spell," Trent said.
Kurt nodded, and the four boys sat in silence, picking at their food for several minutes, until Wes joined them.
"Forgive me for not greeting you when you arrived, Kurt. As you probably know by now I had some important business to deal with."
"Is Blaine okay?" Kurt asked, the urgency to know that the other boy would be alright drowning his recent trepidation.
Wes merely shrugged. "He hasn't gotten any worse, but he hasn't gotten any better, either. We had to move him to a different room."
"Why?" Jeff asked curiously.
"Apparently the room was infused with dark magic, and it may have been there since Winston's death. Hunter could smell it the moment he walked in."
Kurt was frowning. "Blaine was living in the room where someone was murdered?"
Wes sighed. "He was supposed to have Johnathan's old room, but the headmaster butted in and gave it to his son." He shook his head. "If Devon hadn't disappeared, Blaine actually would have had his room. But both his and Ethan's rooms have been sealed since they vanished."
Trent's head shot up at that moment and he stared at Wes. "Please do not tell me that Winston's room should have been mine."
"Better question," Kurt said, "why wasn't Winston's room sealed in the first place? You sealed the rooms of the two men who disappeared, but not the one who was murdered?"
"It might have been, Trent," Wes said, not wanting to lie to him. "As for why Winston's room wasn't sealed, the headmaster at the time wanted the whole thing to be a one and done. He didn't want a reason for Dalton to stay in the headlines for weeks and tried to brush the whole thing over. He immediately had the room cleaned and put another boy in it. But our great great grandfathers managed to get to Ethan and Devon's rooms first."
Kurt was still confused about something. "So, the headmasters aren't witches?"
"No," Wes said. "The school was built to hide the presence of the coven. So they could blend in without appearing suspicious."
"What about the rest of the faculty? I mean, you don't just stop being a witch when you graduate from here, right?"
"In the beginning the school was mostly staffed by members of the Dalton family. But when Jefferson Dalton died in the Civil War, the line died out and the faculty had to be slowly integrated. I think at most today, only one or two of them are witches. But we're never without someone."
Kurt nodded, supposing that made sense. Especially once the state took governmentship over all schools that accepted federal funding. They would be the ones who hired the staff. He also supposed that the Circle could have used magic to influence who was hired and not, but perhaps that was considered unethical or something. He thought of another question. "So, did David discover anything with that breeze of his?"
Wes shook his head. "No, thankfully. Hunter had some information about the Smythe family we didn't know."
"What?" Nick asked.
The older boy looked a little tense, not particularly liking that he had to give them this information. "That the Smythe family's ability is glamour."
Trent, Nick and Jeff all looked shocked, but Kurt was merely confused. "What is glamour? I mean besides a fashion choice?"
There was really only one way that anyone could think of describing it easily. Nick piped up. "Glamour is like polyjuice potion, without the potion part."
Kurt blinked at that, not sure at first he understood, and then suddenly the reference sank in, and one word slipped from Kurt's lips that he rarely ever used. "Fuck."
The other four boys all stared at him in shock for several moments, before Wes recovered. "There's something else," he said. "Hunter said there's a possibility Andrew Smythe may still be alive."
Trent went pale. "How is that even possible? He'd have to be over a hundred and twenty years old."
Wes was shaking his head. "I don't know. But this is the one case where I trust Hunter's judgement. He's just as opposed to the Smythe family as we are. They screwed him over too."
Kurt didn't really know who any of the people they were talking about were, but each time someone mentioned the name Andrew, he felt a throbbing from the vessel, which was in his messenger bag by his foot.
A thought struck him just then. "Wait, if Andrew Smythe might still be alive, does that mean there's a possibility Ethan and Devon are still alive, too?"
Wes was dumbfounded by the question. The way Hunter had spoken, he had been convinced that only dark magic could turn someone immortal, but what if something had happened, and Ethan and Devon were affected by it as well? "I don't have an answer for that," he admitted.
"Wow, I never thought I'd see the day," Jeff joked.
Wes glanced at him. "I may be a witch, but I don't know everything, Jeffrey. For example, none of us have figured out yet what exactly is between you two." He indicated the blonde boy and Nick.
"And that is relevant to the cause because…?" Jeff replied.
"My point was, I don't have all the answers." He glanced at his watch. "I think you three should take Kurt down to the chambers and help him prepare. Explain to him what is expected of him during the ceremony, and the significance of each action."
Jeff instantly straightened up, becoming serious again. "Right. Nick and I will go on ahead. Trent, you can lead Kurt, since he knows you best."
Kurt felt a little nervous as they made their way down the stone steps into the darkness below. Despite having been down here the day before, it still felt a little ominous, although at the same time it felt familiar, as if the depths were welcoming him home. "So," he said after a few moments. "What exactly is going to happen?"
"It's very simple," Trent said. "You'll go in and stand in front of the founders table, directly across from the empty center chair. There will be five candles on the table in front of you. You will light the one on the far right. Wes will open the ceremony with a brief history of the Dalton Circle. When the time comes, he will ask you about your vows. All you do is say, 'I do'. He will also ask you if you seal your vow with the blood of your ancestors. You say, 'I do' again. At this time, you'll also present your hand to Wes and he will prick your thumb with the ceremonial dagger. Then you will let the bead of blood drip over the flame of the candle for your vows to be accepted."
"That's all?" Kurt asked. "For some reason I was expecting something more elaborate. You make it sound almost like a quick wedding ceremony in Vegas."
Trent laughed. "Well maybe if you and Blaine ever get married, you'll see the elaborate stuff," he said with a wink.
Kurt almost tripped on the next step down. "What? Married? I just met him like thirty hours ago."
"And you're descended from Ethan Hummel and he from Devon Anderson. The Circle never did confirm whether or not they were in love."
Kurt shook his head. "What do they have to do with this? Whether or not they were together or not doesn't mean Blaine and I will be."
Trent halted in his step and turned to look at him. "Look me in the eye right now and tell me Dalton doesn't feel more like home to you than anywhere else."
Kurt swallowed and opened his mouth to deny it. Of course Dalton didn't feel like home. Home was his father and Friday night Family Dinners, and...The words refused to leave his mouth.
"You are more connected to Ethan Hummel than I think you realize," Trent said. He turned back around and proceeded on down the stairs. Kurt followed him in silence until they reached one of the antechambers outside the Sanctuary. Nick and Jeff were already there. They had drawn a bath in an antique clawfoot tub, sending the scents of lavender and lemon throughout the room.
"You need to take a cleansing bath before you dress," Jeff said when Kurt looked at the tub in confusion.
"We'll leave you alone until you finish dressing," Nick said. "Just ring the bell there when you are ready."
The three of them disappeared into a second chamber, pulling the door shut behind them and leaving Kurt alone with the tub. The steaming water looked inviting, with dried flowers and slices of lemons floating on top. He wondered if there was any significance in them, but just shrugged it off and got undressed before slipping into the tub. Almost immediately he felt more refreshed, as if he'd just woken from the best night of sleep ever, and the aches and pains from the bullying that he'd long ago learned to ignore vanished. He let out a sigh and relaxed into the water, floating with the flowers and citrus fruit.
Kurt didn't think he had ever experienced a bath quite like this one, and given who had drawn it, he wondered if there were some magical properties to the things used. Or maybe it was the tub itself that was magical. A part of him felt like he could stay in this soothing bath for hours, but he knew the boys were expecting him.
He let himself soak for a few more minutes, and then searched for soap and shampoo to wash with. What he found was a soft paste that looked like the homemade soap he had seen them making at the old farmstead he'd visited once on a school field trip. He dipped two fingers into it and brought them to his nose, inhaling the light scent of sandalwood and pine. When he rubbed it between his finger and thumb, it produced a lather. He proceeded to wash himself, and then rinsed off by ducking into the tub once more. There was no shampoo to be found, but the soap seemed to be gentle enough to use on his hair, and he washed and rinsed that too.
It felt like all too soon the time had come to get out and he let out a sigh, very content with the bath. He delicately stepped out and proceeded to dry himself with the provided towel, which was made of the softest material Kurt had ever felt. He wondered who had made these things and why they were so much more wonderful than the pricey things he kept at home for his delicate complexion.
He quickly dressed in the outfit he had brought with him just for the ceremony; dark washed skinny jeans, a maroon button down, and a black vest with his star and moon brooch. He combed his hair, and once satisfied with his appearance, which seemed to have more of a glow to it, he rang the bell.
Nick re-entered the room. "Perfect. Everyone's arrived and ready. Unfortunately, two people will be absent, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. Are you ready to take your place?"
Kurt nodded. "What was in that bath? I've never felt so relaxed like that before."
Nick chuckled as he began to lead him towards the double doors that would take him into the Sanctuary. "Thad calls it his miracle bath oil," he said. "He never has admitted what he puts in though. But whatever it is, it works."
"Oh," Kurt replied. "What about the lavender flowers and lemon slices? Why were those in the tub?"
"For peace, luck, and the blessing of the Goddess for her protection," Nick said. "Think of it as an offering to her as you fully enter into her guidance."
Kurt nodded at that. "Well, it certainly did the trick. Whatever nerves or misgivings I had before seem to have all fled."
"The Goddess is very wise, Kurt. She never has misgivings about people. And seeing as the cleansing bath has worked the wonders it is supposed to, she has already accepted you into the Great Circle."
The pale young man knew he still had much to learn about the Goddess and the ways of being a witch, but he did feel at peace in that moment, and the feeling of acceptance was overwhelming. He almost felt like crying as Nick left him at the doors of the Sanctuary.
"Wait here. Count to fifty, and then enter."
Kurt nodded and closed his eyes, slowly counting to fifty in his head, before he pulled open the doors and stepped inside.
The ceremony went exactly as Trent had said it would, and when the drop of blood mingled with the candle wax, Kurt felt something settle within him, something that had never felt like it belonged before. Wes instructed Kurt to take the seat to his right, and as he did, he noticed the empty seat next to David, where he knew Blaine should be. He felt a pang of disappointment that the other boy wasn't there, as he, Wes and David sat down. He didn't expect the cheer that went up from the rest of the boys gathered there.
"Boys of the Dalton Circle," Wes said. "Our missing Founding Heir has finally been reunited with our Circle, and we are as whole as we can be once more."
Another cheer arose, and there were shouts of 'Goddess be praised!' After a moment to let the Circle rejoice, Wes called the gathering to order.
"Yes, it is a night for rejoicing, but we still have other things we must discuss." The boys settled and took their seats, and waited for Wes to continue. "Hunter Clarington has concluded his investigation. It is his finding that dark magic is being used to weaken Blaine, for purposes as yet unknown. We have moved him to a different room, and the one he had been in has been sealed by Clarington. Anyone who tries to enter will do so at their own peril."
There were murmurs among the other boys. "Does Clarington have an idea of why Blaine is being attacked?" Nick boldly asked.
Wes shook his head. "Not at this time. However, Blaine was able to speak to me this morning, and he believes that whatever is happening to him has something to do with Ethan and Devon's disappearance."
There were more murmurs and Wes waited for them to die down before he turned to Kurt. "Which brings me to something else he said that I haven't mentioned to anyone yet. Kurt, Blaine believes you might be in danger. He was adamant that you transfer here. I'm not telling you to do that of course, but you have the right to know when something involves you."
Kurt frowned. "In danger from what? And how can I possibly transfer here? What about my father? How would I explain it to him?"
"Blaine wasn't sure. But he thinks it might have something to do with the demon vessel," Wes said. "As for your other questions, I think you should only worry about those if you are considering transferring, but to put your mind at ease, now that you are a member of the Circle, it won't be difficult to get you into Dalton at all. As for your father, you can leave that to our fathers. He is a Hummel too, which means that he is also a witch. Had your family been aware all this time, your father would have been in your seat while all our fathers were here."
"You want to tell my dad I joined a coven of witches? He'll think you are all insane, or some kind of cult."
"And this is why I said leave the task to our fathers, if it comes down to it. They'll know how to handle it."
Kurt wasn't certain these boys knew very much about Burt Hummel, but decided to trust in their judgement. He merely nodded his head. "I'll think about it."
Wes patted Kurt's hand comfortingly. "I know the idea of telling your dad the truth scares you. But because it is part of his heritage as well, it's not something we should be keeping from him in the long term. You understand that, right?"
Kurt nodded again, but another thought occurred to him. "What about my dad's girlfriend? I'm pretty sure he is planning to marry her sometime soon. What do we tell her?"
"If you decide to transfer," David spoke up, "For now, you can tell her it's for safety reasons. Trent has told us you have some issues with the jocks at your school. Dalton has a zero tolerance no bullying policy that's strictly enforced. Down the road, should it become necessary, there's a spell that can be used to ensure whether a loved one can be trusted with the knowledge or not. If she passes, you can tell her the truth."
"Okay, but I'm not sure her son, Finn, should know. At least not for a while. It's not that I don't trust him, it's just that sometimes he tends to say things he shouldn't in the wrong place."
"Kurt," Wes said. "The High Council has no rule against telling humans you're a witch. They only ask that you exercise precaution and be absolutely positive you can trust the human first. In which case, it is up to the witch's discretion who to tell and who not to tell. So just because you tell his mom, doesn't mean you have to tell him."
Kurt nodded in understanding. He wondered what Mercedes would think if he told her. David cleared his throat. "Onto the next bit of information. As you all know, I performed a revealing spell this afternoon. It has come to our attention that the Smythes' line has the power of Glamour, and as you all also know, Andrew and Charles Smythe were twins. Charles, being the elder, would not have had the ability to change his appearance, but Andrew would. Which means that he may not have disappeared after all. He may have been walking among our forefathers for sometime after the tragedy."
"With that said," Wes picked up. "It has been brought to our attention that there is a possibility Andrew Smythe may still be alive." The room was divided, with half of them staring at the Founders Heirs in complete shock and the other half dispersing into utter chaos.
"Order!" Wes called out, banging a gavel Kurt hadn't noticed before on the table. The boys settled immediately. "Yes, I am aware that this is disturbing news, but it puts forth the question, if Andrew is still alive, could Ethan and Devon be as well?"
These words were met with the most stunned silence Kurt had ever seen in his life. It seemed that no one in the room had even thought to entertain that idea. And Kurt looked at Wes, raising his hand slightly. "Wes, if I may?" he said. The older boy nodded and Kurt turned to address the rest of the coven for the first time. "Unfortunately, I don't believe that Ethan and Devon being still alive is a good sign. It's very possible that something happened to them that has kept them alive and bound to the living world for reasons beyond their control. If this is the case, then we have to do everything we can to free them."
Again this news caused a division among the boys, as they voiced their concerns and hopes for a happy outcome for the two missing boys.
"Order!" Wes called again, banging the gavel a second time. "As much as I would hate to say so, Kurt is right. We can't just rest believing it was all a happy ending. Especially since there has yet to be an ending."
There were a few more murmurs from the boys, but they settled down once again.
"If I may?" Trent asked, and Wes nodded to him. "You said earlier that Clarington was able to detect evidence of dark magic in Winston's room. Was he able to tell you how he died?"
David turned to look at Wes in surprise. Wes shook his head. "I don't think we even thought to ask him that. We did ask if he could tell us whose dark magic it was. And we were able to narrow it down. But that answer should come as no surprise to anyone." He was quiet for a beat. "With all the negatives, we must remember the one positive. We are closer to solving the mystery than any chapter of this Circle has been since it happened. Johnathan Anderson's prophecy that day has been set in motion by finding Kurt."
Nearly everyone in the room looked at him, and Kurt felt a little overwhelmed. He still didn't know how he was supposed to solve the puzzle. He finally thought he could see the picture, but there were still so many pieces missing.
"This also means the Dalton Circle has been saved from infiltrating bad blood," David said.
Kurt frowned and looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Our current chapter was the last chance to find you," David explained. "There was a deadline on re-establishing the Hummel line in the Circle. If we didn't meet it, someone else would officially fill that Founders Heir spot and their line would overtake it."
Apparently Kurt wasn't the only one surprised by this news. "Who would have taken that seat?" Jeff demanded.
David was quiet for a long moment. Because of his ability with creating and reworking spells, he knew stuff that the others didn't know. He swallowed heavily. "Hunter Clarington," he said.
Several voices rang out in protest. "Never!" Trent spat out. "His line is corrupted! Perhaps he never used dark magic for the gain the Smythes do, but the fact still remains that he uses it at all!"
"Order!" Wes shouted, banging the gavel once more. "Thankfully, this potential travesty has been averted because we succeeded in finding Kurt. And now that he is officially instated, Hunter has no claim over the seat whatsoever."