“Walking. I couldn’t sleep, so I wanted to walk.”
“Isn’t it too frigid for someone from L.A.? Why wouldn’t you just walk around the school?”
“I wanted fresh air.”
Diana’s lips flattened for a second before she pressed on. “So it wasn’t that you heard Tabitha leave just minutes before you to get water from the lake? You weren’t following her?”
“What? Why would she get . . . and why would I—” I stopped as what Diana was getting at became clear. “You can’t think I’d actually kill her!”
“Oh please, Dane, stop acting all innocent. We’re in spy school. If you can’t fathom killing someone, you shouldn’t be here. And yes, I find it suspicious that you left your rooms mere minutes after Tabitha left the common space. Especially considering how hard she creamed you earlier. Did you want a little revenge on someone who earned her spot here because she tarnished your family rep?”
My fight with Tabitha came rushing back in a new light. Diana was right. That we’d fought just hours ago didn’t look good for me.
“Diana, I swear . . . I didn’t—”
The academy’s door burst open, and Headmistress Wake and Professor de Spina shuffled inside, their magic supporting Tabitha’s body.
Diana’s hand flew to her mouth. “What’s wrong with Tabitha, Mother?” Her icy blue eyes shot through me, full of loathing.
“Not now, Diana. Thank you for alerting us to the scream, but it’s time for you to get back to your dorm. Tell everyone else to stay there too.” Headmistress Wake gestured to Tabitha floating on a bed of mixed blue and gray magic. “De Spina, take Tabitha to the infirmary. Try every revival method known to witching kind. Odette, you come with me.”
The moment we arrived in Headmistress Wake’s enormous office, she went to a small sink in the corner with a bar above it and washed the blood from her hands. I wished that I could do the same, but I’d need something a lot bigger than that tiny sink. Tabitha’s blood covered me.
To distract myself, I took in the room.
In line with the rest of Spellcasters, it was dark. The headmistress’ desk was the most prominent piece of furniture, but there was also an impressive globe, many filled bookshelves on the side walls, and a luxurious chaise lounge by the window. A fire burned in the hearth right behind her desk, giving the room light and warming my chilled bones.
“Sit,” Headmistress Wake commanded.
I lowered into one of two red velvet chairs before her massive mahogany desk. She grabbed a fresh towel, ran it under the faucet, and handed it to me. “Wipe your face and hands. Then we’ll talk.”
Again, I did as she said, and the white rag soaked through with blood within seconds. Once I finished, the headmistress held out a trash can, and I deposited the rag.
She took her seat and tented her hands. “Tell me everything.”
I did so, babbling about flashing red eyes, Tabitha’s non-existent pulse, and my attempts at CPR that resulted in me deciding I needed to get more help.
Headmistress Wake raised her hand, and I shut up. Silence hung in the room as she mulled over my recounting.
Unable to help myself, I broke the silence. I needed answers. “Headmistress Wake?”
“Yes, Miss Dane?”
“How many types of demons have red eyes?”
The headmistress stiffened, but did not get the chance to answer, for at that very moment, there was a knock on the door.
“It’s open,” the headmistress called out.
Professor de Spina entered, his suit crooked over his broad chest and black hair slightly disheveled. My eyebrows pulled together. Why was he in a suit and Headmistress Wake in a dress? It was nearing midnight.
Feeling out of place in my blood-covered robe, I pulled the fabric tighter around me. Did these people never sleep?
“Professor de Spina. Excellent timing. Perhaps you can answer a question Miss Dane has just posed.”
“Which would be?” De Spina countered, his voice still a little breathy as he took up position behind the chair next to mine, his hands laying on the top.
“What sorts of demons have red eyes?” the headmistress asked.
