I hated that I could feel my face getting even hotter.
“He’s not the worst decision you could make,” she said.
“That’s a low recommendation.”
“This school has a pretty low bar.”
The first class bell rang somewhere down the corridor.
Rev shoved the last of the roll into her mouth and backed away.
“Try not to look so… guilty. You’re allowed to have a little fun, you know.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” I could feel the blush creeping higher up my neck.
“Terrible start.”
Then she left.
I had barely folded the blanket over the foot of the bed before the basin in the corner filled.
One breath, empty.
The next, black water to the rim.
Pale words wrote themselves across the surface.
Astor. Verse-study. East corridor.Room 214.
I stared at it. That would never not creep me out.
“Couldn’t someone have just written up a schedule?” I grumbled at the basin.
The water didn’t answer beyond holding the words for three more seconds.
Then they broke.
The basin emptied without draining.
I shook my head, then put on my uniform, and prepared for whatever fresh madness the day had in store for me.
The east wing had two staircases, neither helpfully marked. I found Room E-214 after passing it once, doubling back, and pretending that had been my plan.
The door was open.
The room was nearly empty.
Twelve chairs circled a long oval table. Each place had a small wooden tag carved with a Mark.
Cosima Verraine was already seated at the far side.
She had a book open in front of her. Beside it lay a folded page and a pen. She didn’t look up when I came in.
I quickly looked at the tags before she caught me staring at her.
Each had a name beneath a carved Mark.
Mine was easy to find.
