If bysomewhat impacted, he means they’re now acting downright cruel, then sure. I noticed.
I don’t say that though, because as he speaks, he pushes his way forward and turns his body on a particular angle where the headmaster cannot see his face. The wide-eyed look he gives me is one of urgency. Or, in other words,shut up and don’t make this worse for yourself.
I grimace. I’m not good at this. I’m not good at holding in my emotions. My mother always told me I wore my heart on my sleeve, and that ever since I was little if I didn’t like something, everyone would know. Lukas was the calm and collected one; he thought before he spoke, then reacted accordingly. Me, I always got myself into trouble by putting my foot in my mouth and speaking out.
I nod, swallowing back what I really want to say. ‘I still don’t see how that has anything to do withthis.’
‘How about you start telling me where you were in the early hours of this morning?’
‘Asleep, in my bed.’Which is where I should still be now.
‘And where were you last night, before you went to bed?’ Bartollo presses.
My brows dip. ‘I was out by the cliffs charging my crystal for Professor Kroff’s class.’
‘Were you alone in doing this?’
‘No, I had two other students with me. We all walked together back to our towers and went to bed afterward,’ I tell him honestly, hoping the alibis will help my situation.
‘Hmm,’ he nods, pursing his lips. ‘What crystal was this?’ he asks Kroff this time, turning to face the professor who is still leaning against a bookshelf with his arms crossed.
‘Clear quartz, Headmaster. I believe Miss Nocthare has become friendly with Xavier Davis and Tilly Revlock. I can send someone to fetch them and confirm her story.’
‘Is that necessary?’ Nicks asks, sounding bored of the conversation. ‘Neither Miss Revlock nor Mr Davis can get in and out of Malachite. It sounds like Miss Nocthare would have had to sneak out of her chambers early this morning and somehow get back in for us to find her in her room. How would she have accomplished that when she cannot get through the gate alone?’
Lillian’s necklace burns like a heavy weight in my pocket. I wonder if they can see the outline of the stone or not. Without it, though, Nicks is right – his argument gives me an alibi. After all, the headmaster was there to witness my rejection from the gate. HeknowsI can’t get myself through without help.
‘And what of Lillian McVoy? She was in your room when we arrived,’ Kroff adds. ‘She could have helped you inside.’
I bite back a frustrated growl. Ireallyneed him to stop talking, and by the fiery glare that Nicks sends his way, I know he must feel the same way.
‘She didn’t,’ an achingly familiar voice calls out from behind me, causing my next breath to get caught in my throat. ‘Lillian was with me last night.’
If looks could kill, Sebastian Zain would be decimated on the spot by the glare he receives from his grandfather. Headmaster Zain is clearly not impressed at the sudden intrusion.
‘Sebastian,’ he acknowledges him as if he’s a child whose about to be scolded for misbehaving. ‘Is there a reason you’re in my office without being invited?’
‘I invited him,’ Nicks intercepts, taking a small step forward. ‘He is Malachite’s unit leader after all; he should be here to account for his fellow students and acolytes.’
Bartollo cocks a dark eyebrow, his lips thinning to a hard line. He’s clearly not thrilled about this development but nonetheless, he gives asharp nod. ‘All right. Thenhowdid Lillian McVoy get to Miss Nocthare’s room if she was withyouall night?’
‘With her legs, I suppose,’ Sebastian answers flatly. ‘Pretty good things, those. They take you from one place to another.’
Nicks curses quietly with a sigh.
‘A student is dead, and you walk in here with jokes falling from your mouth.’ Bartollo tsks. ‘Don’t be so disgraceful, Sebastian.’
‘The only disgraceful thing here is your ability to think Nocthare has the unbelievable ability to sneak into Agate, get down to solitary, break into Harley’s cell and strangle him to death,’ Sebastian retorts, and I can’t decide whether to feel insulted or not. ‘He wasclearlyalmost triple her size. I doubt her hands could even wrap around his throat in the first place.’
‘You seem to know a lot about his death for someone who has only just walked into the room.’
‘Word travels fast around here. I simply put two and two together. Nocthare is severely underequipped to carry out such an act.’
God, what an ass!
‘Please, keep going as if I’m not here. I love hearing how inadequate I am,’ I mutter sardonically beneath my breath.
‘And you’re sure of this?’ It’s Kroff who asks this time and Stars, I want to wipe the disbelieving look he gives me right off his face.
