The Garden of Shadows: The Blackthorn Academy Archives, #2

By Charlene Kaye

Remina Ravenfire and her classmates go on a school trip to the dark and mysterious Revival City. Things don't go as planned when she gets caught in the middle of a dispute between the vampires of the vintage Hotel Crowe, Salamander's manipulative older sister, and the charming heiress Clementine, who all want one thing: a book said to contain the secrets of immortality, The Garden of Shadows.

This is the sequel to Ravenfire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlene Kaye
• Release date: May 23, 2025
• ISBN: 9798231272044

Book preview

1 - The School Trip

The sound of the clock ticking was unbearably loud inside the classroom. Time was running out and no amount of finger tapping could magically grant me a perfect score. I probably spent a good amount of time thinking about the last question on the test paper before I finally wrote down an answer. After putting down my pen, I stood up from my seat and walked up to Prof. Ariston in front to submit my paper. He received it with a nod and a smile.

Finally, I was free from exams... for now.

Upon leaving the classroom, I found Emma in the hallway talking to a few of her male fans. It was obvious that she was just conversing with them to be polite, but that fact probably didn't cross their minds. She bid them goodbye and immediately ran to my side as soon as she caught sight of me. I noticed she wore a new light pink hair accessory that day.

Nice ribbon, I said.

She seemed pleased by my remark. Thanks. I've been making these lately to get rid of the stress from exams. I actually made you one too. She rummaged through her bag. I was dreading the possibility of her pulling out an exact copy of her pink ribbon. Thankfully, she pulled out a black and crimson one. I was hoping we could wear them together during our school trip to the city.

I happily received the ribbon. Thanks. I'll take it with me then.

My words brought a huge smile to her face. I can't wait! I've already finished packing and I’ve also done some research on shops we could visit during our free time. I’ll show you my notes later, she said excitedly.

When are we leaving again?

Tomorrow! Don't tell me you've forgotten all about it. She was shocked by my lack of internal urgency.

I've been so caught up with exams lately. I forgot we were even going on a trip. I still haven't prepared my luggage. I began making a to-do list in my head.

Don’t worry. There's still time to pack. You don’t bring as many items as I do anyway. She wasn’t wrong. Knowing her, she’d take all sorts of trinkets with her even on a short journey.

Elliot soon came out of the classroom looking exhausted and joined us. I got stuck on the last question.

You’re not the only one, I assured him.

After the whole incident with the mysterious deaths, the professors supplemented Elliot's Focus with extra enchantments and it seemed to quiet the phantom inside him, so he was free to attend classes like normal. Although he was still under observation, his life pretty much went back to how it was minus the uncontrollable bouts of body takeovers.

Same. It sounded like a trick question, but I wasn't sure, Emma replied.

I still need to finish packing. See you tomorrow! He waved at both of us before walking away in a hurry.

I need to stop by the library. Bartholomew mentioned he had something to give me before I leave for the trip, I said to Emma after Elliot left.

Alright. I'll see you back at the dormitory! Emma waved and walked towards the greenhouse.

THE LIBRARY WAS QUIET that afternoon, save for the subtle noises made by the ceiling tentacles. Now that exam week was over, the only students left in the library were those who read books to relax their minds. Everyone else just wanted to stay far away from anything that reminded them of the gruelling nights they spent pouring over volumes of magical lore.

Bartholomew was quick to appear in front of me waving a folded piece of paper. I have a proposal for you, Ms. Ravenfire, he spoke in his usual calm and somewhat posh tone.

Something that you need from the city? I guessed.

Precisely. My supply of Earl Grey tea is in dire need of replenishment and I will take no other brand than the one I am accustomed to. He showed me a box of tea to make sure the brand name Clementine was burned into my memory. Remember that name. They have a shop in Revival City at 23rd Avenue. I wrote the address in case your memory fails you. I will require at least ten boxes.

And since this is a proposal, I assume that you have something enticing to compensate me for my efforts? I was eager to hear what the prize was.

Naturally. I have a contact in the city who would be willing to purchase those vials of poisons you've been producing during your leisure time. I can assure you that they will fetch you a good price. Tell him I sent you. He'd be a fool to turn you away.

Who is this contact?

Just an old friend I used to drink with. The details are in this sheet of paper, so don't misplace it.

I took the piece of paper. You have yourself a deal, Bartholomew.

He smiled. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist such a sweet deal, Ms. Ravenfire. Enjoy your trip. I hear the city looks delightful at this time of the year.

Thank you. See you in a month.

He added, And if you bump into my brother Alistair, give him my warmest regards. Do remind him that he hasn't returned my copy of The Oracle of the Lamb.

Upon leaving the library, I literally bumped into the perpetually serious Salamander who was about to head inside. Ever since the last day of the school event when we had to face Lucien Blackthorn, his words had been slightly less vicious and more uncertain. It was as if he couldn’t decide between being nice and continuing our usual pattern of savage eloquence.

I noticed the book in his hand, a French poetry collection titled Les Fleurs du mal.

Baudelaire? I asked for the sake of breaking the awkward silence.

He glanced at the book nonchalantly. I'm here to return it.

I never thought you were into poetry.

They're enjoyable to read, but not enough to get you through a whole month in the city.

You'll want to pick up Tolstoy then.

He considered it. War and Peace it is.

I take it that you’re not enthusiastic about our upcoming trip.

I'm not particularly excited to see the city. I’d rather stay here. He was quick to notice someone standing nearby. It looks like somebody wants to talk to you.

I turned my head.

Hey, Lysander greeted awkwardly.

Salamander stepped inside the library to give us some privacy. I took a deep breath and faced Lysander. It was one awkward encounter after another.

I'm sorry about what happened on the night of the dance, he said apologetically. I shouldn't have run and left you alone like that. Will you let me make it up to you?

How do you plan on doing that? I asked.

How about having dinner with me at the hedge maze tomorrow? I'll make it extra special. I promise. He had a hopeful smile.

I'm leaving for a school trip tomorrow. I'll be away for a month. I had to be blunt with him.

When you're back then?

I smiled. We'll see. Goodbye, Lysander. I turned to walk away.

He tried to stop me. Remina, I know I've disappointed you, but what else was I supposed to do in that situation?

I turned my head. I need someone who's crazy enough to stay with me in times of danger. Not someone who flees. See you in a month.

ALL THE FIRST YEAR students were made to gather at the Hall of Mirrors at six in the morning. There weren't a lot of us. We were just about thirty students in all, a little less than the other year levels. I suppose it was difficult to find people who had the potential for magic.

We were required to spend a month in Revival City for an educational tour and to attend the opening of a new museum dedicated to magical history. The headmaster thought it was a good idea to include a short apprenticeship program to help us determine our ideal career paths early on. They’d ask us to list things we enjoyed doing and topics we were interested in. A place would then be assigned to us based on that and our performance in our current school subjects.

Naturally, I wrote down ‘creation of magical devices’ and ‘mechanics’ on mine. I hoped to get lucky enough to be assigned to a shop much like my uncle’s. However, upon receiving my card, I was surprised to learn that my place of apprenticeship would be Luceafărul, a book and antique shop run by none other than Bartholomew’s brother, Alistair. I wondered if this was a plot by the devious librarian to have me acquire his unreturned book.

Emma peeked at my card. What’d you get, Remina? I’ll be having mine at the city hospital.

It seems to be some antique shop, I replied.

Sounds mysterious. And Elliot?

Elliot looked up upon hearing his name. Oh, it seems to be some kind of museum.

I noticed Salamander standing silently behind Elliot. He was too busy staring at his own card to pay any attention to us.

What did you get, Salamander? I asked.

Emma flinched the moment she heard his name. She still wasn't over her crush on him.

The Department of Criminal Investigation, he replied while showing his card.

Why do you get the fun apprenticeship? I complained.

He smirked. "You’re regretting writing down ‘mechanics’ now, aren’t you? While you’re wasting away at the antique shop, I’ll be busy doing detective work."

Students, form a line. Keep your luggage close. We’ll be heading to the city now. Move quickly. Prof. Ariston guided us to the mirror portal that led to Revival City. One by one, each student walked through the large mirror.

REVIVAL CITY WAS A fairly new city that was built just thirty years ago. It was an experiment to see how a community of mages and non-mages could co-exist together in The Land Between, which is what they seem to call the merged portion of the two universes now. It was also an attempt to revive the old culture lost to humanity, hence the name Revival. They swore never to make the mistake of replacing tastefully decorated buildings with plain blocks that characterized efficient modern architecture ever again. The result was a strange mix of different architectural eras that thankfully looked like a magnificent blend rather than a chaotic eyesore.

We were to stay at Hotel Crowe, a quaint place lavishly decorated with vintage furnishings that perfectly matched its damask wallpapers. Photos and paintings covered the walls, depicting places from the old world during its golden years. There was no corner in the building that did not romanticize the lost past.

On the ground floor was a small café with its carved wooden rails serving as the demarcation line between the dining area and the hotel lobby. There were already a few