I hesitated, reluctant to leave this strange, warm moment behind. “Thank you for showing me here.”
He smiled. “And Anna—whatever it is you wanted to talk to Jaden about, you should know—he is no one’s go-to for answers.”
I nodded slowly. Commander Everson was extremely off-putting. But Blake, his charm would’ve mesmerized me if I weren’t facing impending heart failure.
His expression tightened as he backed away, “Goodnight, Anna of the Appalachians. Until we meet again.”
His voice was heavy and he was about to leave when the door opened. A young woman with long black hair stood there. Her bright, oddly violet eyes lingered on me for a moment before flickering to Blake. There was something—odd—about her, but I couldn’t place it. But I got the same feeling around Roslyn and Blake.
“Blake,” she said, surprised.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, disdain dripping from his words. “I thought this was Roslyn’s common room.”
She shot him an indignant look. “She decided we should be close to the Initiates. Let me guess, it did not apply to Saryna either, did it?”
The door snapped open wider, revealing a perturbed looking Roslyn, the Aurkai from the hall. The black-haired woman’s gaze snapped onto her with scary speed, her eyes narrowing at the intrusion.
“Oh, good, you found Anna. Now, if you would do me another favor and take Melanie with you? Thanks.”
That voice, and unmistakable red curls—it was Roslyn Talonhart. She stood behind the other woman, her arms crossed. Melanie, huh? Did all these people already know each other? I glanced at him and caught a distinct scowl directed at Roslyn. Didn’t look like Melanie was going anywhere with him.
Without another word, Blake turned on his heel and disappeared down the corridor. The dark-haired girl, Melanie, stared after him. For a moment, she looked sad, and as she leaned forward, I thought she might run after him. Instead, she grunted in disgust, and waltzed into the room.
When I got inside, Roslyn shut the door and turned on Melanie with a snarl. Roslyn had a cross look on her face, twisting her aristocratic features menacingly. Melanie had herarms crossed, her expression firm. I stood perfectly still, certain that if I moved, I’d get caught in the boiling tension between them.
“We agreed to be dorm mates, Melanie,” Roslyn said, her voice sharp enough to cut someone. “We both sat there and agreed. The Evertines and Blackstones have always made deals.”
“That was before I realized you planned on babysitting all year,” Melanie snapped. “This is ridiculous. And now Blake is out escorting Initiates to their dorm? This place is infecting your brains. And stop trying to claim your mother’s lineage—you are a Talonhart through and through.”
“Why did you come, then?” Roslyn asked with her hands on her hips. “Oh, right, because Blake did. He broke up with you, Mel—get over it. Shut up, do your make-up, and try not to get in my way.”
The shock curled my toes. One more word, and something was going to explode. Probably me. But then the door opened behind us.
“I was looking for you!” Isabella exclaimed.
I shrugged. “Yeah, sorry. Someone helped me find my way here.”
Melanie snapped her head in my direction. “My boyfriend helped you find your way here. Try not to get lost and waste his time again. He has much more important things to be doing than walking Initiates around.”
I stood there as if she slapped me.Boyfriend? Could’ve fooled me.I glanced at Isabella, who gave me a wide-eyed look.
“I didn’t mean to bother him. He offered help; I didn’t ask him.”
Melanie scowled. “Roslyn here seems more than happy to have Initiates asking her questions all day. Next time, find her.”
A growl startled both of us. “Shut up, Melanie!”
I stood perfectly still, certain that if I moved, I’d get caught in the boiling tension between them. Melanie’s expression was murderous, her glare like a weapon you didn’t want aimed at you. I would’ve giggled if not for the very real threat of bodily harm.
Roslyn turned to Isabella and me with an apologetic smile. Her stunning beauty shut down my anxiety. There was something ethereal about her in the way her hair fell down her back in elegant curls, and her poise matched her elegance despite how annoyed she was. She gripped her mug with finely manicured fingers, never spilling a drop.
An aromatic scent filled the area as the steam rose from the mug.
Herbal tea.
I nodded internally.
It fit.
