I make my way back toward the front, grabbing a few more books along the way.Constellations and Their Link to Manifestations,as well asRuins and Implications.
I head back downstairs and find Ambrose relaxed in a chair that looks anything but, with his head leaned back and eyes closed. Deciding not to disturb him just yet, I walk over to the counter to make my purchases.
A black cat languidly stretches across the worn wood, eyeing me with wide green eyes, silently judging. The books thud against the counter as I drop them and reach into my pocket for the necessary coins. I exhale a heavy breath as I wait, coins in hand. When it doesn’t appear that anyone is rushing to assist, I ring the silver little bell on the counter. The cat pads over and sits next to the chiming bell, staring at me as if I’m a nuisance.
“Hello, is anyone working?” I call out in a raised voice.
“You set the coins on the counter and leave them. The bookkeeper has never been seen, but books get shelved, and money gets deposited, so we know there’s one in here somewhere,” Ambrose says from his seat, head still back with both eyes closed.
Okay, then.
I leave the money and tuck my new purchases under my arm, making my way over to him. “Have you seen Finnley or Mallory?” I ask, looking down at him.
“They headed out about an hour ago. Told me to tell you they would meet up with you back at the academy.”
“An hour ago?” I exclaim, kicking the leg of his chair to make him look at me. “I was only upstairs for a few moments. How did they leave an hour ago?”
“Nori, you’ve been up there for ages,” he replies dryly, opening one eye to pin me beneath a blue stare.
Impossible.
I wasn’t up there longer than a quarter of an hour, tops. He takes in my confused expression and pushes forward in his seat. “I dunno, maybe you just lost track of time.” The chair squeaks across the floor as he stands and stretches. His shirt rises slightly to reveal a sharp V cut into his abdomen.
I let out a small cough and tear my eyes away, turning toward the door to leave.
“Hey,” he says, grabbing my elbow to stop me. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
I blow out a breath. “Nope. But I found some other good ones.”
“I never doubted you would,” he says, his brows lifting in a knowing way.
He was right. Ididlove this place.
The minute we get back to the academy, it’s in complete chaos.
Students assemble in the halls in various forms of undress, throwing on academy attire, sheathing weapons, and making their way down the darkened halls.
Ambrose cuts a sharp look in my direction, and I nod for him to go. I know what he’s asking without him even having to voice it. He grips my shoulder reassuringly before sprinting in the same direction as the rest of the officers.
I squeeze my books close to my chest. This is my new reality.
“It’s hard knowing you’ll never be his first priority, isn’t it?” a taunting female voice full of mocking satisfaction asks.
I turn my head and narrow my eyes on Yaretta, who has slithered up beside me. She watches Ambrose make his way through the crowd. I refuse to acknowledge her snub and grip my books tighter before walking in the direction he took off in. Maybe if I grip them tight enough, I won’t smack her in the face with them.
She’s persistent, though, and follows me closely. “Kintoira isn’t the place you grew up in. Times are different now. He hasother thingsto occupy his attention. By the way, Norissa, how’s the manifestation coming along?” she quips like she actually cares. She would love nothing more than to see me tossed out or erased entirely.
I grind my teeth but keep walking.
Metal clings against armor as daggers and swords are sheathed.
I want so badly to pat the dagger strapped to my thigh just to reassure myself it’s safely in place, but I won’t. Not when this serpent is keeping pace beside me. I can feel her irritation at being ignored. She’s practically vibrating with it.
Good.
“Do you want to know where he was the night of the final trial?” she asks, voice full of venom.
I whip my head toward her and watch her lips pull into a feral smile. After finally getting the reaction she so desperately craved, she veers off to stop next to Emory, who’s talking with a group of Veils, but she doesn’t take her viper glare off me.
