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I can’t narrow it down by gods who wield curses. Looks like they can all do that. The way her form shifts, changes, and burns. That has to be unique to her. I’ll focus—
“I can’t believe they’re letting you walk the halls after what you did to Galen.”
Boots shot into my path, pulling me up short. I lifted my head and met the curled lips of Sirena Cirillo, the girl who couldn’t resist taking a parting shot at Nitsa when she showed her up in the stadium. But it wasn’t her I landed on.
Riding her shoulder was the cutest little brown-and-white pygmy owl. The little puffball preened his or her feathers, looking as adorable as it knew it was.
“Cute bird,” I said mildly. “Excuse me.”
I tried sidestepping her and found her directly in my path. “You got a good man killed, worthless class. Xander, Calix, and Ajax are destroyed because of you.”
“Sirena, leave it,” Nitsa said, shoving between us. “It was an accident. Aella’s destroyed over it too.”
Sirena grabbed her face and tossed her aside. She was a fan of that move. “Don’t speak to me, cow.”
Nitsa stumbled, and came charging back. It happened so fast. I blinked and Siren’s right hand was the taloned end of a dragon’s arm. Nitsa froze, bulging orbs an eyelash’s breath from those points.
“Hey,” I cried. “What the fuck are you doing? Trying to kill someone! Put that away.”
Sirena smirked. “I’m defending myself from an opponent who tried to charge me. Everyone saw it.”
“Yep.”
“That’s what I saw.”
“Insecure Sisypheans starting fights they can’t finish.”
I goggled at the pushing crowd... and the hostility on their faces. Nitsa started the fight? She wasn’t the one who got in my face and started throwing people around. Were these guys serious?
“Look,” I said slowly. “I made a mistake and a life was lost. You can’t imagine the guilt I feel, and I can’t imagine the pain of the people closest to him.” I tugged Nitsa behind me and away from those claws. One after another, my friends moved to our side. “I make no excuses for what I did. I ask for no favors, but this... Threatening my friends. We’re not doing this. If you’ve got a problem with me, deal with me.”
Sirena laughed out loud. “Aww. Isn’t she cute, Tawny?” she cooed at the bird, popping a kiss on her feathers. “Coming in here, doling out orders as if anyone gives a shit what she says.”
The entire hall howled, including novices in the Sisyphean class. I was starting to think the only friends I had in this castle were standing next to me.
I matched her smile. “No one has to give a shit what I say. I don’t need their attention nearly as much as you.” Surprise cracked her mask of superiority for the barest second. She wasn’t used to people speaking to her like that. “Now if it’s okay with you,ogreat and beautiful Sirena. Will you move aside so we can get to class?”
The smirk melted off her face, winking out like the light behind her eyes. Snickers floated above our heads. Not just from my friends, but from a few of hers.
Sirena turned to go, and I picked up my notes to get back to my train of thought. A green flash swiped across my vision.
“Ahh!” Pain split my cheek—hungry and spreading through my face. I cupped my ravaged skin, feeling blood coat my palm like ink.
“Hey!”
“What the hell?!”
“Are you insane, Sirena!”
My friends rushed me, pushing me back and away from her. Through the gape in their bodies, I saw that smirk return.
“The great and beautiful Sirena grants your request.” She mockingly curtsied. “You may go to class.”
Giving us her back, she strode off to guffawing, pats on the back, and more than a few cheers. So this is what my friends were trying to say, but were too nice to come right out with it.
The whole school hates me.
“Aella, are you all right?” Daciana moved in my line of sight, sparing me one last look of Sirena disappearing into her class. “You should go to the infirmary.”
