Roslyn’s composure was indestructible, and Melanie looked more pissed off because of it.
Melanie watched me with slits for eyes and folded her arms across her chest. Her entire demeanor emanated displeasure, but despite this, she was equally beautiful, if not more, due to her exotic features. Her black hair was silky and straight in a way I’d only ever seen in magazines. Her dark eyebrows brought out the bright violet color of her eyes, and her high cheekbones and sleek features told of her pedigree more than the gems in her jewelry. She wore a similar uniform to what I’d been issued, but there was something different about it. It was in pristine condition and appeared to be tailored. It consisted of a cropped blazer with a laced vest beneath and a skirt, all black with red stitching that looked very similar to Blake’s. She had the same raven embroidered onto the blazer. Still, her look was as cold as her skin was pale, and when I met her glare, I shivered.
“Who are you?” she asked.
The vibrance of her violet eyes cut through the room sharply. I got the feeling I was being assaulted somehow. The inflection she used to ask the question confused me. What did she mean?
Melanie continued to stare at me. She didn’t blink.
“My name is Anna,” I said as non-threateningly as I could.
“Anna?” she asked. “Just Anna?”
She watched me as if I couldn’t have been serious.
Roslyn groaned in the most elegant way I’d ever heard someone groan. “Go away, Melanie. Not everyone here has some lineage to explain when they introduce themselves. Try to be welcoming for once in your life.”
She looked at Roslyn indifferently. “Whatever, just don’t assign me the one without a lineage and who gets lost all the time.”
She stalked off down the hall and slammed her door.
Roslyn shook her head. “Don’t let her bother you. She’s always been like that.”
I looked at Roslyn, still in shock, and inclined my head.
She giggled and said, “Nice to see you again, by the way.”
I took a deep breath and smiled. “You as well.”
A pregnant pause followed as I searched for something, anything, to change the subject.
I focused on her still steaming cup of tea.
“What’re you drinking?” I asked.
She glanced at her mug and smiled. “Oh! This is a wonderful Jasmine tea. Would you like some?”
“Yeah, that sounds great,” I said.
“Isabella?” she asked.
“Sure!” Isabella said.
As she went to make the tea, Isabella leaned in. “Where did you go? I tried to find you after Roslyn came and said she’d be taking us to the room. She told me one of the “Aurkai” would find you.”
“Aurkai?” I asked.
Isabella shrugged. “I think we’re going to find out tomorrow.”
I nodded. I wanted to ask about Cody again or ask Roslyn. I couldn’t imagine either one of them being involved in some conspiracy. Still, I could imagine her insisting I get a psych eval if I started asking about imaginary people no one else remembered. I didn't want to start with everyone around me thinking I was crazy from the beginning. I already knew what that was like back home. Still, Cody was real. And he was missing. I needed to talk to Everson.
I avoided everyone, trying to calm down. When my heart rate returned to an acceptable pace, I looked around the common area. The room was as ornate and luxurious as the rest of the castle. It included a large furnished common area and kitchen. Four doors, each with a tag on the handle, lead to the separate dorm rooms. I pulled at one, and it read, “Anna Kamoria.” It was hard to believe this was a school.
I opened my door and stepped into a luxurious retreat. At the center was a stunning four-poster bed draped with rich, deep purple curtains that cascaded to the floor. The bed was adorned with plush pillows in varying shades of purple, from lavender to plum, and a deep purple velvet comforter. Soft lighting from a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow across the plush rug at my feet. The walls featured dark wood paneling with intricately patterned wallpaper on the top half. A large ornate mirror with curving, elegant designs carved into the frame sat in the corner beside the window. Sheer curtains flowed from the light breeze of the open window, revealing breathtaking views of the school grounds.
I let my fingers glide across the glossy surface of the mahogany desk. In the other corner stood a grand wardrobe, its doors decorated with floral patterns and gold accents. Inanother corner stood a bookcase lined with texts. I opened the wardrobe and scanned the various pieces of my school uniform.
In disbelief, I went to the common area and found Isabella and Roslyn in Isabella’s room. Her room was similar, but it was decorated in shades of red.
