Page 78 of Shadows of Perl

“You’re not putting glue on my hair. That is where I draw the line.”

Tutom held her arms open, but Nore wasn’t quite sure what to make of the gesture. Her own mother didn’t hug her. She tipped forward on her toes, folding at the waist ever so slightly, and her maezre did the rest. The burly woman squeezed her tight and patted her cheek.

“We’re going to get you sorted. Never met an Ambrose I couldn’t Cultivate. You won’t be the first.” When the maezre let herself out, Nore dashed out of the cottage on her heels. When she entered the courtyard, the ancestors rose to meet her. A shadow blew close, grazing her skin, and it felt like fingertips of ice.

“Away!” She kept her gaze to the ground and picked up to a run. When she crossed the threshold of the estate and left the ancestors behind, she exhaled. She’d stolen Sun Dust once from her mother’s desk, where the maid had set a vial while she cleaned the vault. The woman at least knew where the vault was. Maybe she’d seen the key? It was a risk. But the maid doted on Nore, and she hadn’t seen in her so long. And if Nore approached it casually enough, she’d never suspect a thing.

Nore moved through the corridors, pretending not to hear the whispers or see the scornful stares of her peers. She held her head perfectly level, but she thought she might vomit the whole time. Dlaminaugh was a place where you earned everything, including your bed. So she was born hated. She followed the main stair to the private wing. At one point she heard Priest Kimper’s booming voice and walked faster. The last thing she needed was to be chastised about skipping her prayers to the Wielder. When she reached the landing, she steadied herself on the rail and checked her diadem. Once she’d caught her breath, she smoothed her clothes and roved the halls for one of the family’s maids. When she spotted one coming out of her brother’s room, she rushed up to her. Maura’s mouth fell open. She wiped her hands. “Is that really little Emilie?”

Nore blushed. She couldn’t help it.

“Well, I said you’d never show your face here again, and I have been made a liar.” She pulled Nore over, spinning her around. “Let me get a look at you, girlie.”

She gushed and Nore let her. It is nice to be missed by someone, she supposed. Maura doted on her and went on about all she had missed: the passing of Priest Brosm, the maezres who had resigned for unknown reasons, and all the balls, which were intellectual competitions in their House; Ellery’s drama with suitors; and her mother’s increasing aloofness. Maura spoke a million miles a minute. People like that dizzied Nore. When Maura paused for a breath, she jumped in. “I have a question, Maura.”

“Go on.”

“Where would I store something very personal and valuable?”

“The family vault.” She held out her hand. “Did you have something you need me to pass along to your mother?”

“No, I was actually thinking I’d stick it in there myself. Could you remind me where Mother keeps her key? She told me, but I forgot.” Nore hooked her hands behind her back, digging a nail into her palm.

Maura closed her lips and tapped them. And after several moments, she finally said, “I’m sorry, little Emilie, I cannot betray your mother’s trust like that.”

“So you know and you’re just not going to tell me?” Nore’s irritation rose.

Maura hesitated. “I should be getting back.”

“Maura.”

But the maid kept walking.

“Maura!” She didn’t turn around. Nore really only had one ally here. She could search her mother’s bedroom, maybe, but she’d have to sneak in there after lunch, during her lab hours. Her stomach rumbled again, and this time it wouldn’t take no for an answer. She was late to meet Ell. She wasn’t facing her mother at lunch alone. Someone had to run interference.

When she crossed the bridge into the Hall of Discovery, she eyed the trick wall where the family vault hid. She tsked, no closer to knowing how to get inside. Her brother appeared, setting a stack of crates against the wall beside several others, before wiping his hands on his pants.

“Ready for lunch?” he asked.

“Are all brothers gross? Or is it just you?”

He flipped his hair, running his fingers through it. “The girls don’t seem to mind.”

“Now I’ve lost my appetite. Thanks.”

The parlor where their mother ate was only for family and house staff. She and her brother entered, and all but the final course had been served. She could feel her mother’s eyes following her. On the way to her chair, she grabbed a copy of Debs Daily to busy her hands. Maybe she could try prying for information on the key with her mother.

“Good afternoon,” Nore said to no one in particular. If she was going to pry, she had to at least pretend to be polite. Ellery pulled out her chair. She thanked him and sat down. She was trying to think of a conversation topic to lead with, when the front-page headline of the paper knocked her heart into her ribs.

Darragh Marionne,

Headmistress at House of Marionne,

to answer for alleged crimes

Nore’s eyes raced across the article.

“Nore? You’ve gone pale.”

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