Chapter 8 You Were Here #3
I smiled politely, refusing to say anything that might yield that kind of reaction.
“Anna,” I said.
“Anna,” he repeated slowly, his eyes lingering on my face.
“What?” I asked with a small laugh. “Don’t get a lot of Anna’s around here?”
He shot me a side glance, a near imperceptible smirk tugging at his lips.
“It is just a beautiful name,” he murmured, looking away.
Heat rushed into my cheeks, and I followed him up twisting and broad staircases. I kept my mouth shut, instead taking in the breathtaking castle. There were many students in the halls, some lingering and talking in small groups, others alone and taking in the grandeur that was Nightfall.
We entered a stunning torch-lit corridor where the crowd thinned.
I became more aware of Blake beside me, as if he were humming like an energy source I wanted to tap into.
Wondering what the hell was wrong with me, I kept my distance.
The sounds of our footfalls echoed loudly, and the lack of conversation was making whatever strange aura surrounding this man even more magnetic.
“I noticed a raven on the cloaks of the two guys who helped Commander Everson. Yours looks different. More intricate,” I said.
He cast a sideways glance.
“That is pretty observant of you for your first day,” he drawled.
I wondered why he wouldn’t answer me and waited, entering a silent protest at his avoidance. He noticed.
“It is different because I am different,” he said with a tone of finality.
“Different how?” I asked, even as I felt the charged air between us.
Was this me and ridiculous hormones or—a slight smirk crept across his lips and he threw me a mischievous look.
“Beware the raven should it come tapping at your chamber door,” he said, still smirking.
I scoffed, and his smirk softened.
I couldn’t figure out if he was immature or hiding something by not answering me. Then again, it was hard to believe he was immature when he was quoting Edgar Allan Poe.
“Where are you from?” he asked.
I wanted to protest the subject change but decided to let it go—for now.
“I grew up in the mountains,” I said, returning his vagueness. “How about you?”
“The mountains, eh? Interesting. I am from a place you have probably never heard of,” he said, dismissively.
“Try me.”
“Raven Falls,” he said in a breathy voice, as if the words were a burden to have to say.
I paused, amused at the name and the obvious correlation to the symbol of death on his jacket. “I take it you are not a big fan?”
He watched me for a moment, to the point I looked away. “Okay. You got me. I’ve never heard of it. Where is that?”
“Not too far from here,” he said. “It is also in an ancient mountain range, though perhaps not as old as the Appalachians. I have read that it is beautiful there. I would love to see it someday.”
I paused, something odd sitting in the back of my mind, but before I could ask further questions, he stopped. I glanced at two large doors with gold numbers above them that read 214.
“Roslyn should be in there,” he said. “She will get you to your dorm.”
I hesitated, reluctant to leave this strange, warm moment behind. “Thank you for showing me here.”
He smiled. “And Anna—whatever it is you wanted to talk to Jaden about, you should know—he is no one’s go-to for answers.”
I nodded slowly. Commander Everson was extremely off-putting. But Blake, his charm would’ve mesmerized me if I weren’t facing impending heart failure.
His expression tightened as he backed away, “Goodnight, Anna of the Appalachians. Until we meet again.”
His voice was heavy and he was about to leave when the door opened.
A young woman with long black hair stood there.
Her bright, oddly violet eyes lingered on me for a moment before flickering to Blake.
There was something—odd—about her, but I couldn’t place it.
But I got the same feeling around Roslyn and Blake.
“Blake,” she said, surprised.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, disdain dripping from his words. “I thought this was Roslyn’s common room.”
She shot him an indignant look. “She decided we should be close to the Initiates. Let me guess, it did not apply to Saryna either, did it?”
The door snapped open wider, revealing a perturbed looking Roslyn, the Aurkai from the hall. The black-haired woman’s gaze snapped onto her with scary speed, her eyes narrowing at the intrusion.
“Oh, good, you found Anna. Now, if you would do me another favor and take Melanie with you? Thanks.”
That voice, and unmistakable red curls—it was Roslyn Talonhart. She stood behind the other woman, her arms crossed. Melanie, huh? Did all these people already know each other? I glanced at him and caught a distinct scowl directed at Roslyn. Didn’t look like Melanie was going anywhere with him.
Without another word, Blake turned on his heel and disappeared down the corridor. The dark-haired girl, Melanie, stared after him. For a moment, she looked sad, and as she leaned forward, I thought she might run after him. Instead, she grunted in disgust, and waltzed into the room.
When I got inside, Roslyn shut the door and turned on Melanie with a snarl.
Roslyn had a cross look on her face, twisting her aristocratic features menacingly.
Melanie had her arms crossed, her expression firm.
I stood perfectly still, certain that if I moved, I’d get caught in the boiling tension between them.
“We agreed to be dorm mates, Melanie,” Roslyn said, her voice sharp enough to cut someone. “We both sat there and agreed. The Evertines and Blackstones have always made deals.”
“That was before I realized you planned on babysitting all year,” Melanie snapped. “This is ridiculous. And now Blake is out escorting Initiates to their dorm? This place is infecting your brains. And stop trying to claim your mother’s lineage—you are a Talonhart through and through.”
“Why did you come, then?” Roslyn asked with her hands on her hips. “Oh, right, because Blake did. He broke up with you, Mel—get over it. Shut up, do your make-up, and try not to get in my way.”
The shock curled my toes. One more word, and something was going to explode. Probably me. But then the door opened behind us.
“I was looking for you!” Isabella exclaimed.
I shrugged. “Yeah, sorry. Someone helped me find my way here.”
Melanie snapped her head in my direction. “My boyfriend helped you find your way here. Try not to get lost and waste his time again. He has much more important things to be doing than walking Initiates around.”
I stood there as if she slapped me. Boyfriend? Could’ve fooled me. I glanced at Isabella, who gave me a wide-eyed look.
“I didn’t mean to bother him. He offered help; I didn’t ask him.”
Melanie scowled. “Roslyn here seems more than happy to have Initiates asking her questions all day. Next time, find her.”
A growl startled both of us. “Shut up, Melanie!”
I stood perfectly still, certain that if I moved, I’d get caught in the boiling tension between them. Melanie’s expression was murderous, her glare like a weapon you didn’t want aimed at you. I would’ve giggled if not for the very real threat of bodily harm.
Roslyn turned to Isabella and me with an apologetic smile.
Her stunning beauty shut down my anxiety.
There was something ethereal about her in the way her hair fell down her back in elegant curls, and her poise matched her elegance despite how annoyed she was.
She gripped her mug with finely manicured fingers, never spilling a drop.
An aromatic scent filled the area as the steam rose from the mug.
Herbal tea.
I nodded internally.
It fit.
Roslyn’s composure was indestructible, and Melanie looked more pissed off because of it.
Melanie watched me with slits for eyes and folded her arms across her chest. Her entire demeanor emanated displeasure, but despite this, she was equally beautiful, if not more, due to her exotic features.
Her black hair was silky and straight in a way I’d only ever seen in magazines.
Her dark eyebrows brought out the bright violet color of her eyes, and her high cheekbones and sleek features told of her pedigree more than the gems in her jewelry.
She wore a similar uniform to what I’d been issued, but there was something different about it.
It was in pristine condition and appeared to be tailored.
It consisted of a cropped blazer with a laced vest beneath and a skirt, all black with red stitching that looked very similar to Blake’s.
She had the same raven embroidered onto the blazer.
Still, her look was as cold as her skin was pale, and when I met her glare, I shivered.
“Who are you?” she asked.
The vibrance of her violet eyes cut through the room sharply. I got the feeling I was being assaulted somehow. The inflection she used to ask the question confused me. What did she mean?
Melanie continued to stare at me. She didn’t blink.
“My name is Anna,” I said as non-threateningly as I could.
“Anna?” she asked. “Just Anna?”
She watched me as if I couldn’t have been serious.
Roslyn groaned in the most elegant way I’d ever heard someone groan. “Go away, Melanie. Not everyone here has some lineage to explain when they introduce themselves. Try to be welcoming for once in your life.”
She looked at Roslyn indifferently. “Whatever, just don’t assign me the one without a lineage and who gets lost all the time.”
She stalked off down the hall and slammed her door.
Roslyn shook her head. “Don’t let her bother you. She’s always been like that.”
I looked at Roslyn, still in shock, and inclined my head.
She giggled and said, “Nice to see you again, by the way.”
I took a deep breath and smiled. “You as well.”
A pregnant pause followed as I searched for something, anything, to change the subject.
I focused on her still steaming cup of tea.
“What’re you drinking?” I asked.
She glanced at her mug and smiled. “Oh! This is a wonderful Jasmine tea. Would you like some?”
“Yeah, that sounds great,” I said.
“Isabella?” she asked.
“Sure!” Isabella said.
As she went to make the tea, Isabella leaned in. “Where did you go? I tried to find you after Roslyn came and said she’d be taking us to the room. She told me one of the “Aurkai” would find you.”
“Aurkai?” I asked.
Isabella shrugged. “I think we’re going to find out tomorrow.”
I nodded. I wanted to ask about Cody again or ask Roslyn.
I couldn’t imagine either one of them being involved in some conspiracy.
Still, I could imagine her insisting I get a psych eval if I started asking about imaginary people no one else remembered.
I didn't want to start with everyone around me thinking I was crazy from the beginning.
I already knew what that was like back home.
Still, Cody was real. And he was missing. I needed to talk to Everson.
I avoided everyone, trying to calm down.
When my heart rate returned to an acceptable pace, I looked around the common area.
The room was as ornate and luxurious as the rest of the castle.
It included a large furnished common area and kitchen.
Four doors, each with a tag on the handle, lead to the separate dorm rooms. I pulled at one, and it read, “Anna Kamoria.” It was hard to believe this was a school.
I opened my door and stepped into a luxurious retreat.
At the center was a stunning four-poster bed draped with rich, deep purple curtains that cascaded to the floor.
The bed was adorned with plush pillows in varying shades of purple, from lavender to plum, and a deep purple velvet comforter.
Soft lighting from a crystal chandelier cast a warm glow across the plush rug at my feet.
The walls featured dark wood paneling with intricately patterned wallpaper on the top half.
A large ornate mirror with curving, elegant designs carved into the frame sat in the corner beside the window.
Sheer curtains flowed from the light breeze of the open window, revealing breathtaking views of the school grounds.
I let my fingers glide across the glossy surface of the mahogany desk.
In the other corner stood a grand wardrobe, its doors decorated with floral patterns and gold accents.
In another corner stood a bookcase lined with texts.
I opened the wardrobe and scanned the various pieces of my school uniform.
In disbelief, I went to the common area and found Isabella and Roslyn in Isabella’s room. Her room was similar, but it was decorated in shades of red.
“Here is your tea, Anna,” Roslyn said, handing it to me.
“Thank you,” I said, holding the warm mug. “This is all unexpected.”
Isabella grinned. “Right?”
I wished I shared her joy. I so badly wanted to throw myself into bed and enjoy the moment of having made it, but I couldn’t. I came here for answers, for an explanation for my past, and so far, all I’d found were more questions and less certainty than ever about my mind.
I had to know what was going on here—if it was me who was crazy, or them.