Page 10 of Glutton for Punishment

Her voice carries effortlessly.

“It has come to our attention that there have been signs of rebel activity in the area surrounding Academy Hollow.”

The room erupts with gasps and whispers. I glance sideways at Holly.

We know Arwen had a run-in with Rebels at the Hollow the night I turned her away. The strangers who kidnapped her. The cryptic warning they gave her.

If Atticus had told his father, Academy Hollow would’ve been crawling with guards the next day. That it’s taken this long…

He must have kept it a secret, like Arwen wanted. A strange, bitter flicker of respect moves through me.

Dean Bellows raises a hand for silence.

“Guards discovered remnants of a temporary encampment in one of the abandoned buildings last night with rebel supplies and several forbidden relics locked away.”

My jaw tightens.

“While there are no signs of immediate danger, and the individuals appear to have vacated the area, the Council has deemed it prudent to exercise caution. The academic term will conclude early. All remaining final examinations have been canceled by the university. Students must make plans to vacate the academy and return home.”

A stunned silence ripples through the auditorium.

Then chaos.

Cheers from some sections. Groans from others. Dean Bellow continues, unbothered.

“The academy will transport students home within the next forty-eight hours to commence summer recess. Academy guards will remain on site throughout the break to conduct a full sweep of the grounds and Academy Hollow territory. We expect a safe and uninterrupted return next term.”

I look down the row at Holly, Cleo, Tabby, and Sly.

We’re all thinking the same thing. Time has run out, and now we are going to be separated. Away from the only place that might give us some sort of answer.

The auditorium empties in a rush of noise and movement, but we stay seated in stunned silence.

Holly presses her lips together. “We don’t even know for sure if she was sent away.”

“Maybe she’s already home,” Tabby says, looking at me. “Maybe you’ll get home and she’ll already be back in Furycliff?”

I nod, but I keep my gaze on my hands. I can’t let them see the doubt on my face. Their hope is already thin and fragile as it is.

“You have to promise,” Holly says, turning toward me, voice fierce.

“If you hear anything at all, you get word to us.”

“We all have our academy phones now,” Cleo adds. “It should stay active over the break. We can all stay in touch.”

The auditorium is thinning rapidly as guards usher students toward the exits. We stand together and start towards the doors.

Holly’s fingers close around my wrist as she pulls me back from the others.

“If you find her at Furycliff,” she mumbles, her eyes locking onto mine, “and she asks why you pushed her away… I hope you’ve got a better answer than ‘my grades.’”

Then, without waiting for a response, she releases me and walks away.

Chapter 3

Arwen

Istare at the ceiling, counting cracks I can’t see, because the darkness swallows everything while the stone beneath me steals heat from my bones.