I wouldn’t take anything off the table at this point.
“We’re about to be taken to our rooms. I think. Hopefully, we can all get out of these wet clothes and into something more comfortable,” I answer, blinking through the rain.
His eyebrows shoot up before proceeding to wiggle in a sexual way.
“Not a chance.”
“Ouch, straight to the chest,” he cries out, appearing wounded, his hand clutching his heart, full of mock hurt.
I quirk my eyebrow, unimpressed with his theatrics.
Those curls alone could get him company tonight. Girls love curls. But add in those big hazel eyes and that lazy smile that never seems to leave, and yeah, he won’t have any trouble finding someone to warm his bed.
Grabbing Finnley’s elbow, I pull him forward.
The surly captain and his comrades have started moving in the direction of the academy. They must assume we’re not complete idiots and will figure out they want us to follow them. Best not to prove them wrong this early on.
I can feel my heart beating so hard. This is it. We’re about to enter the infamous Kintoira Academy. Home sweet home. We either place in a bracket and live within these walls for the next four years, or we die.
Pretty cut-and-dried, honestly.
After crossing through the barbican, we enter the inside of the academy through a set of huge steel doors. My eyes dart around, trying to take in everything at once. It’s surreal to be standing inside. I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long, and it’s finally here.
The first thing I notice is that it’s exactly as I would expect it to be—dark, mysterious, and forbidding, cloaked in a Gothic vibe. The second thing that I notice is the warmth of the fire that’s burning in the overside grate. It wraps around me like a warm cup of tea, thawing the blood in my limbs and bringing feeling back to my fingertips. It feels glorious.
I rub my hands together furiously, trying to warm them up as quickly as possible to dampen the sting of needles shooting through them. I still can’t believe I’m here. I made it into the trials. I’m so proud of myself for having the courage to try. Even if I fail, I freakin’ tried.
I’m also scared I’m going to wake up tomorrow and this will all have been a dream.
I let my eyes continue to roam around the entryway, afraid I’m going to miss something as we wait for the rest of the group to work their way in.
Almost immediately, my mouth drops open upon spotting the intricate tapestry hanging above the hearth. Kintoira’s crest displayed in all its triumph. I’ve read all about the tapestry at my prior school. A golden goblet filled with dark blood, accompanied by a blackened serpent wrapped around the stem, is woven into the threads. The black serpent for cunning, the golden goblet for wealth in knowledge, and last but certainly not least, the blood spilled for sacrifices made.
The weaver did an incredible job of bringing it to life. The goblet of muted gold looks tangible enough to grab onto, filled with dark crimson liquid that appears realistic enough to sloshover the brim. An onyx snake wraps itself around the stem, with a penetrating and genuine stare of dissent.
Tearing my eyes away from the lifelike image, I sidestep through a few prospects to where Finnley is talking with a petite girl who’s sporting a platinum asymmetrical cut. It’s different but really suits her. He must have heard me approaching because he looks up and waves me over.
“Hi again,” he says with his signature lopsided smile. “I was just telling Mallory how this place was built over seven hundred years ago as a place of sanctuary and refuge, around the time the wraiths started descending on Salaryan and making our lives hell.”
She watches every move his mouth makes. I see it, but I’m pretty sure he is completely oblivious. When she pulls her stare away from him, her large, catlike eyes land on me. She leans closer, extending her delicate hand for an introduction.
“Nice to meet you, Nori. Finnley was telling me a bit about how you two became quick friends on the journey here,” she says. “Although I have to admit, I’m not sure it’s a great idea to make friends just yet.”
At my confused expression, she continues, “You know, until we figure out our respective regiments. It just doesn’t make sense to start a friendship that isn’t going to remain past the end of the week.”
She’s not wrong.
Truth be told, there are various reasons making a friend this early on is a bad idea. But that’s a big one. Veils and Noctryns will never be on friendly terms.
“Solid point,” I agree, leaning up against the wall. The throbbing in my knee has intensified. As soon as we get to the privacy of our rooms, I’ll have to assess the damage. It feels sore just to stretch it out in front of me, and that doesn’t bode well for the upcoming week.
Finnley’s eyes track my movement, catching on quickly.
“Well, ladies, it looks like the last straggler just made their way in. We should head to the front. I’m sure thelieutenantwill be needed,” he says with a corny wink my way and a heavy emphasis on the word lieutenant. I appreciate him providing the distraction, though.
Grimacing, I push off the wall and follow him and Mallory.
Two of the captains head in different directions, taking the other two groups with them, and one walks ahead of us. It’s impossible to tell whether it’s the same person who was talking to us earlier. They all look identical except for their weapons, but I wasn’t paying close enough attention to know who had what.
