Page 74 of Possession

He glances at me. “This is our dormitory wing.”

“Dormitory wing…?”

“Of course. You’ll need a place to stay.” He takes in my expression. “You were expecting to see the Grand Mage.”

It would’ve made sense. It feels like we’re missing a few steps. Aris was taken out of me hours ago, and his worst enemies are just letting me into their sacred space—just like that?

“Don’t I have to, at least at some point?” I ask.

“Soon. He’ll want to speak with you by the end of the week. Don’t worry, he knows that you’re here.”

That’s what I’m worried about.

I reluctantly follow Henry as he waves me along, leading me down the longest hallway I’ve ever seen.

The furnishings are similar to the Following of the Forewarned: fancy, intricate, and certainly antique, but the air isn’t heavy here. Walking about, I’m hit with a sense of education and accomplishment, not haunting. It’s what I’d expect a university like Harvard or Yale to look like—wooden, old, with renown etched into each ornate fixture.

Large-scale paintings hang between each door we pass, depicting wondrous things like creatures and topography from different planets. Some of the art is nonsensical, but all is beautiful. Between them are marble busts of old men, spectacled and somewhat snooty. Perhaps legacy members?

Continuing down, we pass many doors, each with a plaque hanging beside it with masculine names etched onto them.

I’m a little uncomfortable knowing that I’ll be surrounded by men. Each plaque has at least two names on it, which makes me wonder if I’m going to have a roommate. Technically, I’ve had a male roommate for three years, but this would be completely different.

“Here’s your room,” Henry says abruptly, and we stop outside of an unassuming door.

I immediately study at the plaque on the side, relieved to see only my name inscribed. I’m not sure when they had the time to do that—was Henry planning this during my absence? I try not to think about it, letting out a breath I wasn’t aware I was holding.

Henry pulls a key from the top of the door’s ledge and hands it to me. It’s one of those old, metal ones that looks like something that would unlock a chest at the bottom of the ocean. The door has one of those old-fashioned locks, too.

“Why don’t I give you a few minutes to unpack and freshen up, and then we’ll get a few things for you—toiletries, clothes? Whatever you want,” Henry says.

I nod, warring between gratitude and gloom as I fist the key and continue looking around. While I do need things, being here has me in a mood. Everything is unfamiliar, far too much change at once; I don’t know what to expect next.

Why did I even come? I agreed so quickly, too. I gave in because Henry wanted to return. And why is that? Why are we back when we were all so desperate to stay away just weeks ago?

I need answers. Just one would be good—something to go off of, but Henry is quiet; the hallway is empty, my body just as silent with no one to buzz about and pester me.

I just need… a moment.

“That sounds good,” I find myself saying.

He doesn’t reply as I put the key in and hurry inside and shut the door firmly behind me. Alone, I inspect the room, setting down my bags. It’s about the same size as my old cell, furnished, with a small bathroom on the inside. I peek around for things I might need—hangers for the closet, a hamper for laundry, a clock. I even entertain the thought of getting a phone, but soon shelf the idea. Who would I even call?

I take a seat on my new bed and wonder what Aris would’ve thought of this place. What would he have thought about what I think of it? I lay down, shutting my eyes as I try to imagine a conversation between the two of us. Where would he be in my body?

Rubbing my face, I stand to try to distract myself. Without paper, I start making a mental list of things to do tomorrow. Then, if I manage to get out of bed, hopefully I’ll find a library or someone to can answer my questions, like: how does magic work? Can I learn it? Am I really welcome here, and, if not, what do they want from me?

What is Aris?

Why am I thinking about him?

Keep going, Mary. What else is there to do? I’ll need a tour of this place. I’ve no idea what the layout is, and I need to know any exits in case things turn south. If it’s the kind of place that can only be breached with portals, I’ll be in trouble.

Taking a breath, I stand, ready to leave, and find Henry leaning against the wall. He straightens at the sight of me, shooting a smile that sends my heart fluttering. We were only separated for maybe a minute, but any time spent with my eyes off of him only serves to magnify his beauty.

My smile is hesitant. “It’s nice,” I say. “Do I, um, need to pay rent?”

“I’ll handle it.” He ducks his head to the right, indicating that we should walk back the way we came. “Come on, let’s get what you need.”

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