Page 81 of Plug and Drain

It gave her an idea—the perfect way to avoid Arken, at least for one evening.

“Change of plan,” she said cheerfully, adding an extra helping of gravy onto her plate. “Let’s move it up to tonight.”

“Even better!” Harry exclaimed, drumming his fingers on the counter as he slid his tray along with his left hand. “There’s meant to be a thunderstorm tonight. And I’ve got the perfect horror story. I hope you like tales of the undead.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t leave me much time to make cookies.”

“Who cares?” Harry asked.

“I care. I still need to finish my assignment for Marmala.”

“I’d care too if you weren’t making raisin bran cookies.” He made a face. “I told you, a little less raisin, a little more sugar, and love—”

“I’ll help you bake,” Susie announced, offering Sarah a warm smile.

Sarah’s eyes lit up with gratitude. “Really?”

“Really. I’ll meet you in the kitchens after dinner service.”

Baking was just another excuse to be far away from her room when Arken came to call on her.

Chapter 21

Nuts and Raisins

Susie

After dinner, Susie returned to the dorms to pack a bag for the sleepover. When she reached her floor, however, she jumped upon spotting a still shadowy figure.

For a second, she thought it was Arken.

It was one of the academy’s security officers, his face obscured by the hood of his dark, embroidered cloak. She took a hurried step back and looked the vampire up and down.

Security officers were usually seen patrolling the grounds and very occasionally inside the academy. Never downstairs. This one looked as if he were waiting for someone. Or standing guard.

“Officer,” she began, her voice echoing in the hushed stairwell. “May I ask what brings you to the dorms?”

The officer remained motionless, a statue carved from shadows. The silence stretched until finally, he spoke. “A routine security check. Nothing to worry about.”

Susie considered his words. “And how long exactly will this ‘routine check’ take?”

She could have sworn she heard a low, raspy chuckle. “Indefinitely.”

“Right. And why is the security check suddenly deemed necessary?”

No answer.

“Is there a threat we should know about?”

Silence.

“Did the order come from the headmaster, by any chance?”

The vampire gave her a sardonic smile, which could have meant anything.

“Thanks,” she said after a few moments, “You’ve been very helpful.”

Her back prickled with a thousand tiny needles as she padded down the narrow corridor to her room. She threw a cursory glance over her shoulder to ensure the guard hadn’t followed her, then peeked inside her room for possible intruders before entering. Her palms were clammy with nerves, and she quickly packed a drawstring sack full of the essentials: clothes, books, and more books. She also crammed a blanket in. The others would be able to shift into wolf form to stay warm, but she didn’t have that luxury. Instead, she planned to curl up on one of the old chaise sofas.