“Yep,” they said in unison.
I ran a hand down my face. “Look, I don’t do friendships.”
“Good,” Dori said, chewing her baguette. “Because this isn’t a friendship. It’s an alliance.”
I couldn’t help but grin at her attempt to make this easier on me. For a moment, I entertained the possibility of simply going with it. Of letting down my guard and letting them in, but then what? They’d find out why I was truly here and either hate me or end up getting hurt trying to help me. Which… Which was what I’d wanted from them to start with. A few weeks ago, they hadn’t mattered, but now…
No, I couldn’t tell them the truth. I couldn’t risk them getting involved—getting hurt.
I’d have to do this myself. “Um, Clary, did you find anything in the student records?”
She blinked sharply, clearly confused. “Student records?”
“Yes. About Selina Evergreen?”
“Who?”
I turned to Dori and Benedict, but they looked just as confused as Clary.
“Seriously? Is this some kind of joke?”
“Ana, what are you talking about?” Dori asked.
A cold pit loomed in my belly. She looked and sounded deathly sincere.
I tried again. “The journal we found in the library yesterday? The one belonging to Selina Evergreen?” They stared blankly at me, and my stomach dropped. “You don’t remember?”
“Don’t remember what?” Clary said.
Something was very wrong here. I gathered my things. “I have to go. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Ana? Wait!”
But I couldn’t wait. A theory had taken root in my mind, and I needed to test it.
I found Vitra in his classroom, marking papers. He looked up with a frown as I entered. “Miss Onyx?”
“We spoke earlier, right?”
“Yes. About the bruise on your face.” His eyes narrowed. “Is there something else you wish to tell me about that encounter?”
“No, but…we talked about the journal belonging to Selina Evergreen, too.”
He canted his head quizzically. “Who?”
Ice trickled through my veins. “You don’t remember us talking about her?”
“Ana, are you feeling all right?” He made to stand, and I took a step back, blood thundering in my head. “Ana, what’s going on?”
If I explained it to him, would he even remember? No. Something was seriously off here. The Weave Watchers’ warning came back to me now.Much is hidden in memories lost, but eyes born of ancient power can see… Be watchful, be wary, be vigilant.
“Nothing. I… I have to go.” I ducked out of the room before he could stop me and headed for the main entrance, eager to get back to my room.
If I was going to figure this out, then I’d have to do it alone.
CHAPTER 32
Interviewer: And why create such a machine?
