The bastard expected me to fail in front of the whole Academy, and right now, with my connection to the Weave still blocked, it was highly likely that he’d get his wish. A sinking feeling bloomed in my stomach as I considered my chances.
“Class dismissed!” Sterling said.
He strode off, coat flapping around his calves, silvery hair rippling in the breeze, head held high like the fucker truly believed he was better than me. Better than us all.
The group dispersed, chattering eagerly among themselves. All except Tyler, who made it a point to lock eyes with me and drag a finger across his throat. Again. Seriously, the idiot needed to get some new material.
“Do you have a problem, Tyler?” Drayven asked, his tone low and edged with warning.
Tyler blinked sharply. “No.”
“Good, then get the fuck out of here.”
Tyler jogged off to catch up with his friends.
“I don’t like this,” Clary muttered.
“Me neither,” Drayven said. “I tried to reason with the administration, reminded them that the Restoration Ceremony isn’t until the weekend, but they were not receptive.”
Hardly surprising. “They don’t want me here. This way, they get to shove me into domestic and forget about me.”
“You are not going into Domestic,” Dori said. “We’ll train with you. All day if we have to.”
“No,” Drayven said. “Ana will train with me. The grading will take place at sunset and go on till midnight. We’ll train on the nights leading up to it. Meet me at the entrance to the gardens at sunset tonight. Dress in your training gear.” The corner of his mouth curled up in a cold smile, an expression I hadn’t seen on his face yet. “If Sterling thinks he can sabotage your chances of making the grade, he’s sorely mistaken.”
* * *
“The Grand Libraryis a masterpiece of architecture,” Clary explained as we entered the vast chamber. I stopped to take it all in. Rosewood bookshelves climbed up to meet a ceiling so high it was hidden behind thick beams. A central staircase swept up and split into two balconies that spanned the circumference of the room. Smaller staircases branched off various points along the wraparound balcony, leading to a third level which was shrouded in shadows. But that wasn’t the marvel here, oh no. There were entire bookcases hidden in the walls that could be drawn out with a lever mechanism and then locked into place. Rotating shelves were built into thick stone pillars that jutted up to meet a framework of rosewood beams. Beams that acted as walkways for students crossing the chamber.
I pointed up at the wooden bridges and whispered, “That’s chaos.”
Clary grinned, clearly pleased that I was picking up on the language used here. “It is. But it’s for Advanced Academia students only.” She peered up into the shadows with a wistful expression. “Once my power is restored, I’m taking the entrance exam.”
“Wait, I thought you were qualified as a Hunter.”
“I am, but hunting and Advanced Academia are two separate tracks. You can either work at being a Gold Stripe Hunter, or if you show promise academically, you can go on to the Advanced Academia program—which leads to working either in Border and Ward Management, teaching, or becoming a Carver.”
“Wait…do you want to be a Carver?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I just know that I don’t want to hunt.”
I toyed with sharing my plan to become a Carver with her, but decided against it for now. I’d reveal it after the Restoration Ceremony. The Unwoven knew about my stint with the CCC, and I’d shown Clary my journal and all my sketches. There was no reason for anyone to suspect an ulterior motive in my decision to become a Carver, but the thought of revealing it made me uneasy.
A petite woman in a calf-length green dress and round silver-framed spectacles materialized beside us, making me jump. “Can I help you with anything, my dears?” She stood with her hands clasped in front of her.
“No, thank you, Mistress Smithers.” Clary beamed at her. “I know where to find everything.”
“Of course, you do.” Her bright eyes found me. “A new student. How wonderful.”
“This is Anamaya,” Clary said to her, then turned to me, “Mistress Smithers is the head librarian.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Mistress Smithers said. “I’m here to help if you—” Her chin jerked up. “Excuse me. I must go. Someone is eating on the premises.” She hurried away.
“Smithers is a stickler for the no food and drink rule,” Clary said. “Come on, this way.” She beckoned me to follow, then hurried past the main staircase and into the aisles beyond.
It was my first time in this room, but it probably wouldn’t be my last if the reading lists for study here were anything to go by.
Arcane Botanyby Alberta Evergreen was on my reading list for next month’s new schedule. It was required reading for the Arcane Herbology class with Portia Reign.
