Page 51 of House of Ydril

He’s so refreshingly normal about it all that I find myself stopping him. “On second thought,” I start, “why don’t you take me after all?”

He gives me a wide smile and says, “I’d be honored.” I hold out my hand and he slides a dandelion corsage around my wrist, shyly glancing at me as he does it.

I feel my lips curl into a smile and I’m just about to ask him his name, when I notice him freeze. I frown and I take a step back. He doesn’t say anything, he just walks past me and heads out of the Main Hall.

“Hey,” I call out to him, but he doesn’t react. It’s too strange, too fucking strange for me not to follow him. So I do. And he’s obviously under some spell, probably Leo’s, because he keeps walking in that strange, stiff way, as if he’s being controlled.

With bated breath, I follow him down a series of hallways, trying to get his attention as we go. But he doesn’t stop until we reach a door at the end. He opens it and I see there’s nothing below.

I gasp, thinking I’m about to see him jump. He looks over his shoulder and I can see the sheer terror in his eyes.

“Alright,” I yell out, not knowing what else to do. I rip the corsage off my wrist and I ask, “Happy now?”

I see the guy’s features soften as he gulps for air, his legs shaking uncontrollably as he scrambles to get away from the door.

I don’t linger. He’s safe so I’m already rushing to my room, desperate to see if another one of those sick messages will be waiting for me in front of my door.

And it takes me a bit to get there, but when I do, I see that my suspicions were very much founded. Panting, I reach down to grab the box of chocolates and rip the note off the fancy packaging.

“I see there’s been a misunderstanding,” the note starts, sending my heart racing once again. “No matter how pitiful your choice of date… you’re not allowed to have one.”

Chapter twenty-three

It’sthemorningofthe first day of the second semester and I practically have the cafeteria to myself. I’ve never seen it this empty. And I guess the other students think it strange as well, at least judging by the way they keep lowering their voices.

Me? I’m trying to eat my breakfast burger, but I’m feeling quite disoriented now that I’m back at the Academy. I’ve spent the last month, that is, the holidays, binging my shows, going for my midnight runs and hanging out with Lisa.

Sounds pretty chill, doesn’t it? Sure, if you ignore the nights, I think as I stare at one of the fountains in front of my table. Those, I spent tossing and turning, brainstorming how to prevent the bloodbath and avoiding to think about anything else that had to do with the Academy. The events at the Ball, primarily. The actions of a certain someone, most decidedly.

Of course, Nuala was with me in a way. We spent a lot of time on video calls, mostly discussing the bloodbath plans, but also chatting about everything from next semester’s classes to my new stalker Leo.

I also tried, very hard, to get her to talk some more about her inability to shift. I asked questions and made suggestions, but she kept blowing me off. Then again, I still haven’t toldherwhat happened with theasshole who used his fucking powers on me.I can’t bring myself to even start processing it.

When I snap out of it, I realize I’m gripping the fork so tightly, it hurts. I let out a sigh and I let it drop to the table. I’ve neither the time nor the energy for this shit. Especially since Nuala got stuck at home until tomorrow afternoon and the two of us were supposed to set the plan in motion. Today.

And just as I think about my friend and how much I miss her, she shoots me a text.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” it says. “Remember the plan and wait until I get there.”

The plan, for now, is to get Professor Mistila alone and try to make her talk about my parents.

“Have you ever seen me do anything stupid?” I type back, smiling as I grab my bag and leave the cafeteria.

She sends me an emoji that’s rolling its eyes at me. She wasn’t born yesterday, my friend. She knows exactly how anxious I am to jump on it.

But when I barge into the hallway leading to the West Wing, where most classrooms are, I see Harry walking straight at me. And the plan to join the Vipers is just a plan B for now and I know I’m supposed to go look for Professor Mistila first… But he’s here and, well, Nuala was right. If anyone knows anything about any sinister plans for the Third Round, it’s a Viper.

So I make a snap decision. I lower my head, pretending I’m on my phone, and I make sure to bump into him, full force.

“Hey,” he growls at me. “Watch where you’re going.”

“You watch where you’re going,” I snarl at him, fighting to look him straight in the eye, despite how menacing he looks.

He scoffs and then flashes me a predatory smile. Yes, just like that, I think to myself. “Little bird not so terrified now that she’s an Olarel?”

Holy shit, could this be going any better? I give him a smile and reach for my runes as I say, “I guess I’m much more at ease with my powers now.”

He bursts out laughing. “Yourpowers?” he replies mockingly. “You must be very good at hiding them then.”

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