I grabbed my bag, tipped out the books, and replaced them with my cryptozoology journal and sketch pencils. Maybe I’d find a quiet nook to draw in. Goodness knows I had plenty of updates to add. Critters had evolved after The Overshadowing, and the Horrors and Echoes had entered Nova Terrabecauseof the event, so maybe there were commonalities between the two.
My stomach fizzed with excitement, but I quickly tempered my enthusiasm. I wasn’t here to further my knowledge on cryptozoology, I was here to find theLibra Veritas. Nothing could come between me and my goal.
I could still sketch, though.
* * *
We rana little late because I insisted on dropping in on Darla, just to let her know I was fine and that I didn’t blame her for what had happened. The relief on her sweet face made the few minutes we spent on the detour worth it.
Outside, the sky was heavy with gray clouds, and the air was misty and wet where it touched my skin. A sharp, cold wind cut through my wool coat, eager to chill me. It was a relief to get into the Main Building.
“Meet for lunch?” Clary asked as we hurried past the vaulted windows and toward the stairs to the first floor.
“Sounds good.” We parted in the corridor above and they rushed to make their lessons on time, while I slowed to an amble, stepping to one side to let several students pass.
It wasn’t long before the passages were silent, and I was the only one walking them. I stopped at the arched windows to look out at the tumultuous ocean and beyond to Coral Isle. It would be an interesting evening, followed by a weekend where I could get to know my tower mates a little better, and maybe do a little more sleuthing about campus. But for now, I needed to make a mental map of the Main Building as best I could. I didn’t want to rely on other students to get me from A to B. It would be hard to snoop if I needed someone to accompany me everywhere.
I left the window and headed back down the corridor, taking turns at random and making mental notes of landmarks—various landscapes that filled the space between classrooms, or the intricate tapestries hanging between sconces. My explorations took me past the common room and into an area I recognized. The dining room doors were shut, a notice pinned to the wood stating that the room was out of order.
Looked like we’d be lunching back at Bramble.
I dove deeper into the building, away from any windows and natural light. The passages were lit solely by the anemic glow of wall sconces and seemed a little narrower, but there was something familiar about this area. I’d been here before, coming from a different direction. I realized why a moment later when I spotted a vaulted arch leading to an intersection. One corridor was brightly lit, the other was shrouded in shadow.
I’d definitely been this way, but Dori and Clary had led me away because it was restricted.
Restricted, what a deliciously dirty word. I glanced quickly around to make sure I was alone, then ventured into the shadows.
The walls here were gray stone, and the wooden floor looked scuffed and old. A dark wooden door, set in a vaulted arch, sat at the end of the passage. The wood looked solid—thick and heavy. There were intricate patterns carved into it, but not enough light to make them out clearly.
The desire to know what lay beyond was an insistent tugging in my chest. A quick peek couldn’t hurt, could it?
There was no door handle, so I pressed my palm to the wood and pushed. It didn’t budge, which made sense. Restricted usually meant locked, but there was no denying the flare of disappointment in my chest.
“Hey! What are you doing?”
I spun away from the door, hand going to my chest as a stocky figure barged toward me. “You. Come ‘ere.”
Shit. “I’m sorry. I’m new. I got lost.” I hurried toward him, an apologetic smile on my face.
Up close, the man looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties, his hard, blocky features further accentuated by a buzz cut. The dark blue overalls he wore set him apart from the teachers here. Could this be Master Trax, the man who took care of the Main Building?
He jerked his chin up and looked down his nose at me. “Onyx, right?”
“News sure travels fast around here.”
He pressed his lips together, nostrils flaring. “Hmmm. I’m Master Trax, grounds watchman, and this area is restricted.”
“Oh?” I plastered an innocent look on my face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“Hmmm…” He looked over my head and down the dark hall. “You'd best get going to class.”
“I don’t have class. I was exploring.”
He dropped his gaze to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Explore somewhere else.”
“Right.” I ducked around him. “I’ll be off then.”
I walked quickly toward the light and glanced back once I reached the intersection.
