I guess I should be grateful.
The attack could’ve ripped off my lips or my nose.
I always took my face for granted. That it belonged to me. Our face is there every time we see our reflections, in every photograph—so much of our identity is wrapped up in it. And the fact it can change in an instant without warning is… terrifying. Kind of like going berserk. At least my face is still intact, even if my lips will never look the same.
All things considered, the wound is healing fast.
Somehow, I doubt the trauma will go away as quickly.
A week later, Tala hands me a pile of papers, the edges ripped. “A peace offering. I made copies of all my notes while you’ve been out. I thought they might be helpful.”
“Thanks,” I say, accepting them from her.
Tala glances at my lip. “It’s not as bad as I expected.”
“It’s healing quickly.”
She looks around my dorm room. “I’m sorry we never showed up last week,” she adds quickly. “I know I said we’d meet you, but Isaac was ignoring me. He’s been having a hard time with everything, and then I forgot to text you. I feel like what happened is my fault.”
“This isn’t your fault,” I say slowly. “It’s Isaac’s.”
“Isaac?” Tala raises an eyebrow.
“You didn’t show up, buthedid.”
“No he didn’t.” Tala shakes her head in frustration. “He hasn’t left his room since I told him about Emilía. He won’t even talk to me. He’s really devastated, and I didn’t even mention that you thinkhekilled her.”
Or Amund injured him, andthat’swhy he’s been missing class.
“You think Isaac cares about Emilía that much?” I ask her slowly.
Tala nods. Even if he really did care, it doesn’t mean he didn’t kill her. He’s a berserkr. He could have attacked her in a rage—just like my dad.
“Doesn’t that bother you?” I ask.
“Not at all,” Tala says. “He’s my best friend. Honestly, I’m only with Isaac because it’s what my parents want from me. It’s… complicated. Speaking of which, I have to bring him his notes too.” She closes the door behind her.
It’s pointless trying to argue with Tala about this. She’s too close to Isaac. If I want to prove he’s guilty, I’ll have to do it myself.
I set her notes down on my desk and stare out the window.
Someone outside gives me pause.
Amund is standing in a corner of the courtyard with his arms folded, glaring as he surveys the students passing by. He’s extremely conspicuous, standing out in the open like he is, and people are moving around him, careful to keep their distance from him, like he’s radiating a dangerous energy. What ishedoing here?
I linger a moment, studying him from the safety of my room. Withthat menacing expression, no wonder everyone is avoiding him. A hunter among berserkir is almost a threat, especially since he’s still wearing his battle leathers. Is hetryingto start a fight?
Even so, something draws me to him.
Some small part of me might be curious what he’s doing outside my dorm. He couldn’t be… worried about me, could he?
I shake my head. No, that’s ridiculous. More likely he’s here to find the berserkr responsible for the attack—and Emilía’s murder. Cooped up like this, I have no idea what’s been going on. I should tell him I know who did it.
Even though it’s my first time going out in nearly a week, I leave my room. I’m hesitant to walk around with my lip the way it is, feeling like everyone is going to immediately notice. Part of me wants to hole up in my room and hide from the world forever, but that’s not an option.
Not when Isaac is still out there.
I hurry down the hallway, staying close to the wall, and keep my head down. Unfortunately, once I’m outside, it’s much harder. There are so many students around, and it seems like they’re gawking at me. It makes me feel small. Ashamed.
