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I was just a few yards from the classroom when I realized Alcántara had stopped speaking. He was waiting for me, and I was dawdling. Good way to lose my new job before I even began.
I jogged the last few steps, but my foot hit a wet spot on the tile, and I slipped, needing to catch myself on the doorjamb not to fall. A bunch of girls laughed, and I stamped my boot, glaring at the melting slush we’d tromped in from outside. It was January—it was impossible not to track in the stuff. Gritty puddles were everywhere.
And that was when it hit me. I knew who had materials good for casting. Things like putty and caulk and chemicals that would be easy to
steal.
The janitor.
In my whole time on the island, I’d spotted the maintenance man just once—slipping like a ghost into the boiler room—and that was only because I had a penchant for visiting the science library at odd hours.
I placed Master Al’s book on the lectern and gave him a great big sunny smile.
Ronan was right: I didn’t want to be this person I was becoming. This monster, respected by monsters. I knew now what I wanted, and it wasn’t the vampires’ praise.
Carden had once told me how I was his light. I’d tasted darkness, and one day I would come away from it. But first I’d need to linger just a little while longer.
I’d think this through and do it right. I’d be like Sonja, the Sonja from the runes, a woman who’d ruled. I’d draw my power from within. I’d be strength and grit and calm vision.
I’d see inside that castle if it killed me. Because now I had an additional plan.
First I’d sit through class. Later I’d go back to the dorm. I’d wait till Frost was at dinner. I’d hone my stakes.
Soon I’d track the Spanish vampire in his lair. I’d track him and then I’d stake him.
I’d stake Alcántara.
My thoughts were that simple.
I’d get Alcántara before he changed who I was.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
I couldn’t exactly wander the halls, hoping I’d run into the custodian. And even if I did run in to him, then…what? Just walk up to him and ask if I could borrow any materials he might have that were capable of casting a shape at an awkward angle and then hardening despite the cold and damp? Or I could simply sock him on the head and take what I needed.
Not.
Recalling Alcántara’s almost comically revolted expression at the sight of that puddle was ultimately what gave me the solution to my problem. I didn’t know if it was the result of being hundreds of years old, or if it was the thing that made a creature survive for that long in the first place, but these old dudes, they put a high price on neatness and order. And there was someone on the island who particularly despised untidiness. Someone who had a fetish for all things custodial.
The headmaster.
He gave janitorial punishments all the time. The day Emma and I had stood together against the Guidons, to chastise her, Headmaster Fournier had forced Emma to clean toilets as her punishment.
I pushed away the memory. I couldn’t let emotion cripple me. I needed clear focus. I told myself it was this sort of cool logic that would ultimately help me get my head above the deluge of loss drowning me. But would it be enough to erase the confusion, chagrin, and heartbreak that was Carden? Would anything ever be enough for that?
I stiffened my upper lip. I was roots in the earth. I was cold stone. I was grit and vision. I was Watcher. Or I would be if I lived that long.
I knocked on Headmaster Fournier’s door, a cup of coffee in my hand. It was tepid—it wouldn’t do well to burn the guy—but I’d waited for the dregs, and I imagined it was all nice and silty with thick, goopy grounds.
His voice was muffled from behind the door. “Come. ”
“Good afternoon, Headmaster Fournier. ” I used my most formal tone—I wanted to earn a simple janitorial punishment, not an evisceration. “I hope I’m not interrupting. ”
It took a lot of gall, doing the casual drop-by like this, and his expression was a mix of curious and surprised. “This is not the best time. But I confess, I’m intrigued. ” He glanced over my shoulder, as though an explanation for my appearance might present itself. He didn’t look angry, though, and that was something. I guessed it took a lot to rouse a vampire’s curiosity, and they probably didn’t mind when it happened.
I thanked him with a smile and said, “I’ll be quick. ”
There was no stopping now. I walked in and put my cup right on his desk. It made a ceramic clack sound, and coffee sloshed over the sides.
