Page 11 of Sweet Nightmare

“Congratulations, Caspian!” Aunt Carmen tells him, lifting her tea cup in salute.

“That’s fantastic news!” Uncle Carter jumps up, knocking over his chair in an effort to be the first one to clap Caspian on the back.

The others quickly follow, and it isn’t long before my cousin is preening under all the attention and well-wishes.

I force myself to walk over to him and give him a hug. After all, it’s not his fault I’m reeling. Any more than it’s his fault that my mother won’t so much as glance my way.

She refused to let me apply.

She told me I couldn’t go—that none of us fourth gens could leave the island for college.

She even asked why I couldn’t be more like Caspian and be happy to stay on the island after graduation—take over the academy like we’re meant to do.

And now I find out that he’s been applying to schools all along? That his parents have been supportive of him?

Anger rips through me as I give Caspian a hug.

He may be a bit of a tool, but I don’t blame him for finding a way off this island and taking it.

My mother, on the other hand? I definitely blame her.

“Congratulations!” I tell my cousin when he finally lets me go.

He beams at me, his bright-blue eyes shining against his copper skin. “Thanks, Clementine! I can’t wait to hear where you’ve been accepted.”

My stomach sinks, because what can I say?

Why didn’t Caspian and I talk about college before now? Why did I just trust my mother when she’s been known to play fast and loose with the truth?

My smile is forced as I try to figure out what to say when Carlotta elbows me out of the way to congratulate Caspian.

I try to calm down, try to tell myself there’s still time to apply anywhere I want to go. I’m not stuck here after I graduate. I can still leave this place in my rearview.

Her control over me is almost over.

It’s that thought that gets me through the rest of the Conclave. It gets me through Caspian’s ridiculously pompous speech and Uncle Christopher’s proud bragging. It even gets me through my mother’s continued refusal to meet my gaze.

But the second the meeting is adjourned, I race for the door.

I’ll confront my mother tomorrow. Tonight, I just need to get far away from her and the rest of my family.

Grandma calls after me as I book it down the hall, but I don’t turn back. If I do, I’ll end up bursting into tears. Tears are emotion, and any emotion is weakness. My mother doesn’t respect weakness. So, to keep the tears from falling, I just keep running.

My phone vibrates just as I make it back to the cottage. Part of me expects it to be my mom demanding that I come talk to her, but it’s all quiet on that front. Instead, it’s Serena.

Serena: I hope Flavia’s carrot cake made it more bearable. I want to hear all of the gory details

Me: It helped, but there’s not enough carrot cake in the world

Serena: I’m finally going to do it

Me: Do what?

Serena: My first spell

Serena: It’s going to be a full moon tonight. I’ve gathered all the ingredients I need. Once it gets dark, I’m going to cast a circle, channel the moon, and go for it

I send her a celebratory gif.

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