Instead, I’m stuck somewhere in between. Failing at both. Teachers and dark objects are missing, and I’ve had my brain prodded to prove my innocence. A book cryptically insults me each time we converse. I have a Noctryn major who has an agenda for me. And my best friend is speaking in puzzles behind my back about haunting subjects of my past.
I curl my fingers and close my eyes.
Everything’s fine. Everything’s fine. Everything. Is. Fine.
I open my eyes and wince. Everything is so far from fine that it’s laughable at this point. The long hall ends, and I push through the heavy wooden door. A few Veils pass me as I slip into the main hall and head toward the officer’s class that Ambrose is currently taking. It’s on the far south end of the academy and tucked in the corner of the turret.
A door opens up ahead, and two people step out deep in conversation. An unlikely duo to say the least.
“Of course I was with him,” Yaretta seethes, throwing her hands in the air.
“Did he say anything? Have there been any updates?”
“Listen, Eryk, the last thing that we talk about when we’re together is missing professors or those dirty blood leeches losing one of their precious objects.”
What is Eryk Porter doing with Yaretta? They have about as much in common as oil and water. “I don’t think you understand the significance of what’s happening,” he barks, causing Yaretta to stop and really look at him.
“I’m not sure who you think you’re talking to, Porter, but I’m not the one. The only reason we’re on the same side here is because we each have end goals that complement each other. That’s it. So watch your tone when you speak to me.”
I plaster my back against the wall and peek around the column that blocks me from view.
Eryk bounces on the heels of his feet. His mousy eyes are hard and directed at Yaretta. “I don’t need to remind you who my father is.”
Figured that one was coming. Surprised it took so long.
Yaretta throws her head back, a shrill laugh breaking free. “Please, save the theatrics. Your father hasn’t shown his face in this academy since he took reign,” she hisses. “Face it, Eryk, you’re an afterthought. And always will be.” She spins on herheel and marches off without giving him a chance to even respond.
He fists his hands at his side. “Bitch,” he mutters, walking in the same direction she took off in.
I step out from my hiding space and look around.
Clear.
There’s an awareness in the air. I don’t like it. I’m not a witch, but I am a woman, and we’re intuitive. I’ve learned to trust my gut. It hasn’t steered me wrong yet.
I open the door they just came through and poke my head inside. The harsh smell of chemicals mixed with stale ingredients permeates my nostrils. I pinch my nose and cross the threshold. It’s an alchemy lab of some sort, with tabletops lined with various beakers, petri dishes, and scales. A few mismatched microscopes sit on the back counters.
My eyes drift to the shelves along the walls. Hundreds of preserved specimens sit along them. What looks to be a human heart, various insects, and small rodents sloshing in colored liquids, among other things. Small colored glass jars labeled with ingredients such as salt, Phoenix ash, crushed bone, and random gemstones sit on numerous bookshelves.
I walk over to the wall closest to me and run my fingers along a faded anatomical chart and a sparkling celestial chart. I’m not sure if the room is interesting or something out of a nightmare.
I back up a step and look around.
What were they doing in here? This classroom looks like it hasn’t been used in ages, dust coats most of the lab equipment, and there’s a staleness to the air. Stepping around a few stacks of books and old journals, I walk along the tables looking for anything they could have left behind, but everything looks undisturbed. Perhaps they just ducked in here to talk in private. I’d give anything to have been able to hear that conversation.What could two notoriously selfish people have in common that they’re conspiring about?
Stepping back into the hallway, I push the door shut.
I shake my head and decide I can only handle one mystery at a time.
Chapter twenty-eight
I don’t make it to the officer’s class before the bell tolls. I lost track of time in my snooping. I quickly turn around, cursing under my breath, and head toward Professor Rinkin’s class instead. I can’t afford to miss another class.
Her long blonde braid swishes across her back as she writes on the board. All I have left on the schedule for today is two classes. Shadow Craft and Blood Magic.
I scrunch my nose. I’m not looking forward to the last class. Professor Moravek creeps me out, and the entire taboo subject does as well.
Plopping down in my seat, I crack my knuckles one by one. My partner in crime hasn’t arrived yet, so I’m saved from that. I crack my book open to the page written on the board and pull out my quills, lining them up neatly on my desk. The sound of books being tossed onto desks, pages being turned, and chatter throughout the rows almost drowns out the tardy bell.
