I wanted answers.
No.
I needed them.
I stepped across the threshold into Shadowick Academy, and the moment my boot touched the dusty floor… every person in the portraits turned around to look at me.
And then I heard it speak.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Welcome.
The first thought that occurred to me was, why did it seem that every witch Academy in the Midwest opened its doors for me, and the second was…now what?
My mom knew about this place. It must have been one of the reasons she’d tried to come back, but she didn’t make it inside.
Or maybe, it wouldn’t open for her.
Something fluttered above, and I flinched as squeaks infiltrated the massive foyer. Bats flew above and directly toward the open door.
A few dipped lower, and I ducked as they went on their way.
Barlen stepped next to me, and I stared at him.
“Have you been in here before?” I whispered.
“I…uh, I…” He cleared his throat. “It’s been a long time.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Indeed, it is.”
“Were there students when you roamed these halls?”
“A few…”
My eyes stayed on his. “Was Gideon one of them?”
He chuckled and shook his head, rocking on his tiny heels. “Oh, no. It was much longer than that.”
I stood, trying to take in what I could. Even though my mind wanted to compare it to the gorgeous Academy back in Stonewick, there was little here that reminded me of it.
The Stonewick Academy had always felt alive in a warm and welcoming way. Even when it was angry or secretive or trying to shove me into danger while pretending it was character growth, there was still softness woven into its bones. Sunlight through ivy. Butterflies drifting through gardens. Kitchen sprites arguing over pastries.
This place felt awake in a completely different manner.
It was as if something that had slept too long was deciding whether it was ready to be bothered.
Dust coated everything, but not evenly. Some sections of the floor looked untouched for decades, while others showed faint drag marks through the grime as if shadows moved furniture or secrets through the halls while no one watched.
The portraits lining the walls still faced us.
Every single one.
I tried not to look too closely at their eyes.
Naturally, that only made me look closer.
