“This isn’t our first time,” Dame announces. “And it will not be our last. Most of you should know the drill by now. But for our first years, if you are unaware, the Inquisition is not polite. They do not care about your clan. And they most certainly do not care about you.”
“What does that mean?” someone calls out from the back.
“It means we’re about to get fucked,” I answer, not bothering to sugarcoat it.
Dame turns to me, brows bent, and I shrug.
“It means they will be watching you,” he corrects. “All of you. Headmaster Miltrewd is not a fan of this pack. That shouldn’t be news to you. So if you value your freedoms and your autonomy, you will govern yourselves accordingly. I want everyone to behave at their best until further notice.”
“That means no unauthorized potions,” I add. “No after-hours flight time. No summonings, no curses, no possessions. Nofightswith the Blackclaw wolves.”
A voice shouts from amongst the crowd.
“Yeah, Hodges!”
Heads turn, chuckling as they stare at Steven Hodges. A second-year with a penchant for starting and promptly losing challenges. He only laughs, shrugging off his failures.
“You think that’s funny?” Dame snaps. “Next person I see fighting better hope they die, because if not, I got next!”
Steven’s smile dies, and the room goes quiet as Dame’s anger ripples through the pack bonds.
“For the next three months, this house is a nunnery,” he declares. “If you don’t like it, let me know. I’ll cut your bonds. Or we can find you a nice spot out back next to Oliver St. Grey!”
I cut a glance at Kitty in my periphery. She’s already looking at me, worry hiding behind her rose-tinted glasses, and I nudge Dame beneath the table again.
He doesn’t acknowledge me, but I know he understands when the next words out of his mouth aren’t dripping with rage.
“You will all be called in for questioning,” he says. “And you will tell them the truth as you know it. Understood?”
The room echoes as they all respond in unison, “Understood.”
“Good. Now, Kitty has a few more announcements to make. Kitty?”
Dame gestures for Kitty to step in, and she begins to read off a very long list of reminders. Most of which are the same weekly reminders as always.
No potion making in the kitchen.
No blood-letting in the bathroom.
The usual.
Followed by the obligatory reminder that all common areas should be left as you find them. That one always seems difficult for first-years.
Kitty goes on, and I stop listening once she gets to the monthly chore list. But it appears fate is on my side tonight as my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Princess
I’m hungry.
That’s all the message says.
No hello. No, good evening. Just, ‘feed me.’
I shake my head, smiling at my screen as I stand and announce, “I have to go.”
The room rushes to get to their feet, and Dame stands, frowning at me.
“What?” he asks. “To do what?”
