Chapter Eighteen
Selene
Twoweekshadpassedsince theDemonherrat incident. And almost two weeks had passed since I realized my mom had a twin and that Mr. Hastings had known our parents. To my frustration, Mr. Hastings evaded any questions I threw at him. The other times I attempted to talk to him, Mara had been working or other students were nearby. I dug more into the other boy in the photo with Mom and my apparent aunt, but I only got as far as his name.Cursed not having internet.We never had it growing up, but it would have been helpful now.
I let out an audible, frustrated sigh as I headed to John’s office. The hallways were louder than usual as students prepared to leave for the day. Most classes were typically done by two on Fridays regardless, but the Winter Ball was tonight. It was held the week before exams. Which meant winter break would start in one week. Apparently, it was an exciting yet nervous time for the typical student.
John’s office door was cracked open, so I pushed it open the rest of the way and stepped in. John peered out the window, the sun outlining his silhouette. Despite the room’s brightness, many candles were still lit, even next to Aura as she slept on his desk.
“Hello, Sal.” John didn’t turn around just yet. “I heard you’re going to the ball tonight.”
“I am.” I made my way to his desk. A file caught my attention on top of other papers. The label on top readEnder Hart.
“Good,” John said as he turned around. I looked at him, averting my eyes from the file.
“Why is that good?” I asked as Aura popped up from her spot on her desk and ran over to greet me, her oval charm dangling on her necklace.
“You should enjoy yourself.” John pulled out a small box from his desk drawer. “This is for you—of your own choosing to wear it.”
John opened the box and held up a beautiful gold necklace with a singular pearl.
“What’s that for?” It was gorgeous—and I had no idea why he was showing it to me.
“Your mother wore it for her senior winter ball. She knew I was one of the few students who had access to the art room and had asked me to help herborrowit.” He let out a small chuckle. “I ended up helping.”
“And you happened to still have it?” That was an odd thing to keep.
“She borrowed it for one night. It’s been sitting in the art room closet since.” He glanced at the necklace.
I stared at the piece, picturing Mom in a beautiful gown, wearing the gold chain around her neck. I wasn’t one for jewelry, but part of me couldn’t refuse.
I nodded, snagging the box from him and closing it.
“Why hadn’t you mentioned my mom’s sister before?” I blurted after a long pause. The only information I could find about her was that her name was Victoria. The past couple of weeks, I had contemplated if I should ask John about her, revealing that I hadn’t known Mom had a sister.
“Ah.” John lifted his chin, making his narrow nose look even longer. “Mr. Hastings had mentioned you asked about her.”
I raised a brow in annoyance. Of course the older man had.
“And he avoids all of my questions about her and Mom,” I said.
“You and your sister had never mentioned her before, and it wasn’t my place to bring her up. She had been the only relative noted in the academy files. It was assumed a conversation you wouldn’t enjoy encountering.”
“And you clearly knew her just like you knew my mom,” I stated. “You were in their class.”
“I was.” John nodded. “Victoria and I were acquaintances as well. However, we did not have as many classes together.”
My lips pressed together as I studied him. There were so many questions I wanted to ask regarding my mother and her twin. But would he even know any of the answers? Questions could clue him in about my ether magic. I couldn’t gauge him or comprehend how this beautiful little fox, currently rubbing against my waist as she stood on the desk, was his. I gave her a quick pat on the head.
“Thanks.” I held up the box containing the necklace. It would match the outfit I would be borrowing from Sydney for tonight. I would also be asking Sydney if she wanted to go office sneaking after the Winter Ball and find out why the headmaster had Ender’s file on his desk.
Chapter Nineteen
Ender
Iwasvaguelyawareofthe cool, hard surface of the stone pillar pressing into my shoulder as I leaned against it. Each time someone exited the west dorms, my heart beat a little faster with anticipation. Crowds made me nervous—not that anyone knew—but waiting for Selene as my date did something else to me. Her cheeks had flushed when I had asked her to the ball during lunch in front of her classmates. It was merely to get a reaction from her, but to my surprise, she had narrowed her eyes in defiance and said yes.
A flash of white caught my attention and I looked over at the dorm entrance again. Selene walked through this time, and my heart stilled. She had ditched her buns and braids combo for loose waves that fell just below her shoulders, and her white pantsuit hugged her curves elegantly and flowed as she walked, her low heels clicking against the stone. The perfect formal attire to still fight in.
