Page 34 of Speak No Claim

“Here I’ve been told repeatedly that my grades spoke for themselves.”

“That’s not how this world works, little girl. You’re old enough to understand that appearances are everything. No?”

“Not in my world.”

“Well,” she snidely snipped, “you’re in our world now, and you’ll abide by the rules.”

“Jesus,” I breathed out. “From the moment I landed, everyone keeps reminding me of these rules. Except they’re the rules, not our rules. Both carry a very different distinction, don’t you think?”

She nodded. “I expected you to know your place.”

“And what place would that be?”

“The one your uncle is trying desperately for you to fit into, and now you’re just proving him wrong.”

“Who sets these rules and why can’t anyone tell me why I have to follow them?”

“There are rules in every world, Hennessy. You’re old enough to know that too.”

“Yeah, standard ones. These are something completely different, and you know it.” She didn’t answer me, so I didn’t hold back. “He’s trying to restore the Belladonna name, right?”

She scoffed, not the least surprised. “That didn’t take long. Let me guess, Deja? My niece doesn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. She never does.”

I mirrored her stance, crossing my arms over my chest too. “I would’ve preferred honesty.”

She stepped closer to me. The click of her heels echoed throughout the entire foyer. “You’ve been here a week, Hennessy, and you’ve successfully managed to insert yourself into matters that don’t concern you.”

“It seems to me like I’ve stepped into a trap.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” she bit.

“Oh, okay…” I held up a finger. “Your nephew tries to humiliate me today in front of half the school.” I held up a second finger. “My uncle lies to me.” I held up a third. “And every person I meet tells me there are rules I’m expected to follow, yet no one tells me why.” I smiled without a trace of humor. “And that’s just today. But I’m the problem?”

She looked at me the same way someone studies a crack in an expensive piece of glass.

Her patience snapped like a thread, and she spewed, “That attitude is exactly what destroyed your mother.”

Her words knocked the air from my lungs. “My mother? You know my mother?”

She regretted them immediately, cautiously replying, “Unfortunately.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re not meant to.”

“What does that mean? Why does everyone speak in code around here?”

“Hennessy…” She hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts, and I noticed.

“I highly suggest you forget what I just said.”

I frowned. “That’s like asking me to stop breathing.”

“Careful,” she warned. “That too can be arranged.”

What the hell?

She got right in my face. “You listen to me because I won’t repeat myself.”