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But the only monster in the room was Lilac. She sat on the edge of her bed, brushing her hair methodically, staring at me. She looked all dead-eyed, like some sort of maniacal doll you might find in a horror movie. It gave me the creeps.
I turned away and didn’t glance back, managing to get dressed and ready without looking at her again. I was aware of her, though. Of her movements, her breathing, her location and distance from me. I’d need to watch my back every moment from now on.
Despite functioning on only a couple hours’ sleep—and those fraught with
nightmares—I felt remarkably clearheaded. I had a plan. Survive, excel, escape.
I was lacing up my boots when I heard a rustling outside our room. Lilac and I both froze. Two envelopes slid under the door, each bearing a name in elaborate script.
My roomie sprang up first and, with a look of disgust, tossed me my envelope.
She opened hers right away, but I sat on the edge of the bed, contemplating mine. The paper was yellowed, like parchment.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” she taunted.
Not with you watching. “Later. ”
She was using hers as a fan. “Are you afraid, Charity?”
Frankly, I was. That we’d both gotten one made me wary. Did someone find out about my stunt with the snow? Was I in trouble?
“It’s just your class schedule. Freak. ” She flounced out the door, slamming it behind her.
I jumped from the bed, shoving the envelope in my pocket. I’d been desperate for a moment alone so I could hide my iPod and photo in a safer place. I had no choice—the Initiates had made it clear that I could be disrobed and hazed at any moment.
I’d emptied most of my kit bag in the wee hours. Though many of my clothes were still strewn about the room to dry, I’d tucked the Japanese box safely in the bottom drawer of my dresser.
I retrieved it, taking a moment to touch a reverent finger to the metal throwing stars. I wondered what they could possibly expect me to do with them, but still, they were the coolest things I’d ever seen. I took them out, then carefully pried out the tiny brass tacks that secured the velvet lining to the box. I plucked out a corner of the fabric and slid my treasures underneath before putting it all back together.
The iPod was flat and smooth, and the box made the perfect camouflage. I just hoped the odd weight wouldn’t betray my hiding place, should my roommate get curious.
A gong rang. It was a beautiful sound, heavy and clear, like something you’d hear in a Tibetan monastery. It resonated in my belly, and for a flicker of a moment, I felt I was a part of some bigger thing. The call to breakfast, I realized.
Which meant I was running late.
I swooped out the door. The morning was clear, and the snow melting fast. Only scattered patches remained, whitish gray in the center of the quad.
Jogging down the path, I felt unburdened, empowered. It was like I knew a secret. I’d braved this path in the darkness. I’d seen one of its monsters.
I bounded up the steps to the dining hall and pulled open the heavy oak door, anticipating the delicious blast of heat. I stepped inside, and the low hum of chatter enveloped me. I smelled fried foods and coffee.
And then I gasped. All thoughts of Lilac, last night, and that envelope were replaced by one much more pressing development.
There were boys here.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“There are boys here?” Plopping down next to Amanda, I set my tray on the table a little too hard, and black coffee sloshed over the lip of my mug.
“As you see. ” She smiled coyly, concentrating on stirring her yogurt. Proctors dined with their Acari, and I was determined to get as much information out of mine as I could.
Unfortunately, the arrangement meant I also had to sit near Lilac. The heart-faced girl was there, too, staring into a bowl of oatmeal, as was a posse of girls I wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.
Amanda eyed the boys’ table, taking a spoonful of yogurt. “I was just explaining to the other girls. They’re Trainees. ”
“I thought only girls could be Watchers. ”
“Not Watchers. Vamps in training, like. ”
