‘It is not often a circumstance such as this occurs, but itisknown to have happened where a student’s heart and mind don’t know where they truly wish to be. The stones themselves will not accept them until the student’s truth is known.’
Is that what could have happened?
Part of me wished to be in Opal once. But now Ineedto be in Malachite, and Agate … well, Agate was my last resort if those two didn’t work out. Is that my problem? The fact that my mind and heart are torn on where to go?
‘Miss Nocthare.’ Headmaster Zain finally faces me, turning his back to the crowd. ‘You were not chosen by any unit, but my words ring true: the ultimate decision lies withinyou. I will place you in a unit of your choosing until your magic manifests, giving you a clearer indication of where you belong.’
‘And if it doesn’t?’ I dare to ask, because what if it never does? What if I’m as useless as my father’s told me a hundred times?
‘Then you will find no place for yourself here, and you will be forced to leave.’
Not asked.Forced.
A deep wave of resignation threatens to take me under. I can still feel the weight of eyes on my back and the rejection that stung each time I wasn’t pulled through the gates. The memory of my mother on her knees in our living room plays behind my eyes. The way she cried for days on end, and how my father’s strong arms wound around her like a vice each time she succumbed to the grief. The way they comforted each other, while I sat alone in my bedroom feeling like my heart had been ripped from my chest. I cried alone. I grieved alone and now I stand here,stillalone. My only company is the promise my father had me make to him. It sits heavy, wound tight around my ribs, putting pressure on my lungs so that I may never forget it.
It wasn’t a promise that I found hard to agree to because I want the same thing he does. I want to restore our family name. But where he wants me to succeed at the academy, I want to vindicate my brother.
‘You said I get to choose which unit I’ll be placed in?’ I confirm.
Bartollo’s head dips in agreement.
I turn. My eyes scan over the three archways and the coloured stones smeared with students’ blood.Myblood, on each of them.
When my eyes land on Malachite’s gate, they can’t help but flick to the brooding man standing before it. I recall Sebastian’s smug expression when his unit did not accept me. As if he knew I wasn’t good enough, as if he were expecting it. I feel a flare of rage. How dare he! How dare he treat me like that when I have done nothing wrong. How dare he turn his back on my brother, hisbest friend. We welcomed him into our home, fed him, cared for him, even gave him presents on Solstice, because he was considered part of the family.
For him to treat me like this, like I amnothing …
My gaze returns to the headmaster in front of me, my resignation swallowed up by determination as I state clear and loud. ‘I choose Malachite.’
‘Very w—’
‘No!’ A harsh bark interrupts Headmaster Zain. People gasp from behind me. Even I find myself reeling back a fraction.
The headmaster’s head snaps toward Sebastian who, as Tilly pointed out earlier, looks like he’s about to burst a blood vessel. Headmaster Zain simply raises a hand, silencing the room with the gesture.
‘Do you have something to say, Unit Leader?’ His question sounds more like a warning but Sebastian either doesn’t notice it, or he doesn’t care.
‘This is wrong! She wasn’t chosen. She cannot just walk into Malachite without earning her way in. She’s …’ he looks at me a moment, his green eyes roam down my body then shoot back up to my face. A sneer tugs at his lips. ‘Undeserving.’
Ouch.
‘Undeserving or not, the decision is not yours to make. Escort Miss Nocthare through Malachite’s door so she can get acquainted with the rest of the unit and her chambers.’
‘What if I refuse?’
How is this the same person who offered me comfort when my father tore me apart? The more he speaks, the angrier I become.
‘Refuse and I’ll find someone else to take your place as unit leader. Escort your new acolyte. Now!’
If Sebastian hadn’t just spoken about me like I’m worth nothing, I’d feel pity for the way he’s being spoken to. Especially because the one threatening to take his position away is his own grandfather. But I don’t feel anything. I won’t.
Not now. Not after he’s shown where his loyalty lies.
Sebastian’s teeth clench so tight I can see the muscles working in his jaw. He shakes his head and turns to face the archway.
‘Move, acolyte.’ I hear him growl.
I’m beginning to hate that word the more I hear him call me it.
