“That’s none of your business.” The woman took an aggressive step forward. “If you weren’t a Moore, I’d have you thrown out of here for trespassing. And for forcing poor Rowan to help you, again.”
Rowan let out another grunt and lightly clenched his fists.
Angela rose gracefully from her seat and crossed the room. “My doting dog.” She patted Rowan on the cheek. “Come, I’ll let you pick your outfit for the party tonight for being such a good boy.”
Completely ignoring the still-fuming woman, Angela flounced out the door.
Rowan grunted and pushed off the wall. He gave me a searching look I couldn’t interpret before following Angela. The fog swallowed them both.
The new arrival let out a sigh while a teenager with an olive-green bowl cut bravely emerged from behind her. He studied me with a frown on his face.
“Right,” the woman said. “I’m Hope Abernathy. You can call me Hope. I’m in charge of all housing in the Castle.” She looked behind her. “Brody, shut the door.”
Once shut, she took a moment to check on everything Angela disturbed on the desk before sitting, Brody at her side.
“Now,” she continued. “Whatever Lady Moore said is probably wrong. You can forget it.”
“Lady Moore?” I asked.
Hope pursed her lips. “It’s a unique situation. Lady Moore is obviously from a prominent London family and not interested in joining the Architect, though if Rowan stays with us, we might gain an alliance out of it.”
My thoughts froze on the word London. “Like, London, England?”
Hope narrowed her eyes. “Yes, though it’s been a long time since I heard the word ‘England.’ I think my great-grandmother still broke up the continent into Scotland, England, and Wales, but we don’t differentiate anymore.”
I tilted my head to the side. Right. Smart, Miss Q. We’ve never left the US, meaning you don’t have to get all the details right to make this more believable.
“And we would be in Wales?” I guessed.
Hope peered down her nose at me. “Scotland.”
“Right, on the border,” I said, trying to cover for myself.
“Wales and Scotland don’t border each other.” Hope sighed. “Thankfully, you don’t have to have a lot going on between your ears to do most of the jobs we’ll be training you for.”
Instead of being insulted, I grinned and blinked at her.
Hope bit back an amused smile and continued as if I hadn’t asked my questions. “Rowan’s one of Lady Moore’s contracts, and the rest is politics you don’t need to concern yourself with. She usually loses interest in new trainees quickly, as she’s not part of the family.”
Hope stuck her nose in the same glowing paper Angela, er, Lady Moore, had.
I groaned. Wonderful, even in this made-up world, new people got the short end of the stick. “What’s a contra—”
“You failed your entry.” Hope cut me off, clearly done with the first part of our conversation. “But the Architect himself signed off on your acceptance. With the power you displayed, I have no doubt those who saw your test will be understanding.” She set down the paper and patted her chest. “We’re a haven for those in need, and you, my dear, are in need.”
My months,not months, of wandering and running from people hit me hard. I took a deep breath. “I don’t know if we are on the same page as to what I need, but, yeah, you’ve got a point.”
She nodded sagely. “I trust the Architect implicitly, as should you. Unfortunately”—she turned the glowing page—“there are no free rides. I hope participation doesn’t deter your interest. We will take care of you here. You can make whatever choices you want. It’s a good family to join.”
I smiled and nodded. All of that sounded good, if a little like an advertisement.
My response relaxed her slightly before she frowned at the glowing square again. “Your arrival was late in the process. We’re doing what we can.” She peered at me. “There’s only one room left in Grady Hall.”
She looked at me as if that should mean something.
It didn’t, but I nodded anyway.
“Your clothing is a bit flashy considering your financial situation,” she said, looking me over. “But you’ll blend in well in the hall until your uniform’s finished.”
