“Much,” I answered with a smile. “Well, I guess we should go to our classes before we’re late.” I looked to Maeve.
“Ah, yes!” she said quickly. “Excuse me.” With a slight bow, Maeve headed down the hall where the classroom for beginners was located.
I was about to ask the headmistress where my class was when she stepped closer and invaded my personal space.
“Where have you been, my lady? You’re late on your delivery,” she whispered inches from my face.
“Pardon?” I whispered back, feeling slightly uncomfortable with our proximity. I could practically kiss the woman.
“Come on.” She grabbed my arm and hauled me across the room toward a different hallway.
I allowed her to drag me behind her because I desperately wanted to learn more about this school and how Arya fit into it. When we arrived in her office, she shut the door and locked it. Then she waved her hand in the air and a yellow filter covered the room, encompassing us.
I gasped and looked at her with wide eyes. “What did you just do? Are you a witch?”
She frowned, confused by my strange behavior. “Of course I am, Arya. You know this. I only erected a privacy screen so no one can listen in on our conversation. This way, we can talk freely. Are you okay?”
“Oh, right. Yes, I’m fine,” I said quickly. These were all things Arya should already know. “Apologies, I’m still a little out of it.” I scratched the side of my head.
The witch furrowed her brows and ticked her head back in surprise. “Apologies? The Arya I know would never apologize.” Mirabel took a couple of steps toward me, then narrowed her gaze as if scrutinizing my every movement.
Shit. I was about to get discovered.
I held up a hand to stop her. “Enough with the nonsense,” I grunted dismissively. “What do you want? My time is limited,” I asked, allowing a hint of annoyance to show.
Her gaze narrowed even further before she straightened and chuckled. “I was worried for a second, but I see youareArya.”
I guess I needed to be a bitch for people to believe I was Arya. Go figure.
I hurried her up with an irritated wave of my hand. “Come on, now. I don’t have all the time in the world, Mirabel.” I used her name instead of calling her headmistress. Arya seemed like the type to not care about seniority.
Mirabel scoffed. “I should be tellingyouthat,” she said. “The painting. I’m still waiting on it. You’re late.”
I tilted my head as I started to piece it all together. “I assume that’s why I was accosted by some vampires in the Southern District?” I asked, taking a stab in the dark.
Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “They came for you. By the immortals, I knew they were impatient, but I didn’t think they would actually approach you!”
I raised a brow. So it seemed Mirabel was Arya’s contact, and the vampires were Mirabel’s. When Arya was late, the vampires skipped the middleman and went straight to Arya. Damn. This was quite an operation. Did I even take lessons at this school?
“Were you hurt?” Mirabel asked with true concern in her voice as she looked over my hands. No, she wasn’t concerned for Arya, she was concerned for Arya’s tools—her hands.
“No, I’m fine,” I muttered. “Remind me Mirabel: when am I supposed to deliver these paintings? Ever since the accident, everything has been a bit foggy.” I pointed to the side of my head again to emphasize my point.
“The third Sunday of every month,” she crisply answered. “We meet at midnight here at the school. You’re never late.”
I frowned. The third Sunday of every month… When was that? I bit my lower lip and pondered how long ago it was when it hit me.
“That was the day of my accident,” I murmured. “No wonder she never made it. She was gone.”
“Pardon?” Mirabel said.
I waved her off. “Nothing,” I clipped. “I’ll have the painting to you soon.”
“You better, Arya. The vampires are not happy. If they don’t hear from us soon, they’ll come knocking on your father’s door,” Mirabel added with a grimace.
I scoffed. “Yeah, I’d like to see them try.” I had a new secret weapon, as much as I hated to admit it. Klaus might just come in handy, after all.
“I know you like to pretend to act tough, Arya, but we both know you couldn’t swat a fly.” Mirabel rolled her eyes. “In addition to the late one, your next painting is due soon. If you don’t have it ready, you and I will both be in hot water. I know you like to work in advance, so be sure to have everything ready.”
