When I open the door, Tala seems surprised to see me. I guess shedidn’t actually expect me to say yes. Not that I can blame her. I haven’t exactly been friendly.
We head to the dining hall together.
“Hey, do you know if any of the berserkir are dating witches?”
“A lot.” Tala turns to me with a mischievous grin. “Why? Does this have something to do with that witch boy you’re always hanging around?”
Well, that went in a different direction than I intended.
“Nils and I are just friends, that’s all.”
“Doesheknow that?” Tala asks, raising her eyebrows.
I’m surprised she even noticed us together. Berserkirdohave heightened senses, I suppose. Hopefully no one overheard our conversations. We’ll have to be more careful, especially now that I know Emilía was dating a berserkr.
I hurry inside the dining hall, hoping this is the end of the conversation. After grabbing some waffles—Bea’s favorite—I reluctantly join Tala and Kris at a table in the back. Tala has eggs and toasted rye bread, and Kris has skyr with fresh fruit.
“Kris, this is my suitemate, Edith,” Tala says by way of introduction. “You know, the one I was telling you about?”
Kris nods in my direction. “Hey, new girl.”
“Hi,” I say with a weak wave.
Awkward silence settles over the table as we eat. I have no idea what to even talk about.
“So how do you two know each other?” I ask eventually.
Kris and Tala exchange a look.
“My brother introduced us,” Kris says, but doesn’t elaborate. They take a bite of skyr instead and Tala prods at her toast like she’s lost her appetite. Seems like it’s a sore subject for both of them.
Across the dining hall, I spot Bea and her friends all eating together. Of course she’s stuffing her face with waffles and talking at hyperspeed. She’s too busy with her friends to even notice me. As much as I want to see Bea, I’m not sure if it’s safe for her to be around me. Ever since my claws first came out, I can feelsomethinginside me, shredding my insides, begging to be released.
Maybe I’m more like Dad than I want to admit.
“So, what are your weekend plans?” Tala asks.
“You know, the usual.” Kris cracks their knuckles slowly. “Probably go to the gym. Kick Isaac’s ass inCounter-Strike. Watch a horror movie or two—I heard A24 has a new one.”
Tala laughs. “Speaking of horror movies, I heard there was smoke coming from the seer school the other night.”
Great. Any mention of seers makes me think of the séance again.
While Tala and Kris continue talking, I bounce my leg under the table, unable to sit still. I need to speak with Emilía again. I need to be sure who killed her. Even if it’s me.Especiallyif it’s me. I can’t be around Bea again until I’m sure I didn’t do it. But how? I doubt Irina wants anything to do with me. After that look she gave me when I left last night—I’m sure she’s convinced I’m the killer now, just like Amund.
“Earth to Edith?” Tala waves her hand in front of me. “What are you doing this weekend?”
“Not sure yet.” I try to focus on our conversation, recalling the last thing I heard them talking about. “Why would there be smoke coming from the seer school? Isn’t that place abandoned?”
“Exactly,” Tala says. “No one should be anywhere near there.”
“Isn’t the school supposedly haunted?” I ask, recalling what Emilía said that first day on our tour. “Are there actual ghosts there?”
“Never seen any,” Kris says with a shrug. “Not that I’ve ever snuck in on a dare or anything.” Tala casts them a look, and Kris clears their throat. “What? I’m just saying, why leave the door unlocked if you don’t want people to go in?”
“Well,I’venever been inside,” Tala says. “But rumor has it that ever since the Tragedy, the school’s been full of ghosts. That’s why they had to shut it down.”
“What happened in the Tragedy, anyway?” I ask, suddenly curious.
