Page 28 of Switching Graves

“There are six bloodlines of the gifted. Well, seven, if you include the Mirrane bloodline, but there hasn’t been a descendant from that one for over a century, so we don’t include it in our materials. That’s why Ravenshurst is legacy-only. In addition to being a highly esteemed, Ivy League university, we’re also a school for the gifted.”

“And you’re saying I’m this . . . Valeria?”

“An empath, yes. Psychology is the perfect choice, by the way.” She taps my arm and smiles again, scrunching her nose like it’s the cutest little coincidence.

If Carmichaels are part of this Valeria bloodline, I wonder what my mother’s would be. What myactualgift is.

I have a feeling it has nothing to do with empathy.

Is this why Aunt Divina has always kept me away from her social dealings?

And does Poppy have a clue about this?

The questions are swarming my head faster than I can register. I knew something was off about this place.

Swallowing, I tilt my head and point to the computer. “Do you have a pamphlet or something that I could look at with the rest?”

She hesitates, peering at me like I’ve just stunned her with the request. As if I’ve asked her to loan me a kidney or stab a pencil into my eyeball. I’m sure that under normal circumstances, this is information students are taught as soon as they can walk. No one needs an information packet about their own genealogy.

Unfortunately for me, I don’t come from normal circumstances.

I blink at her expectantly. “Or can you point me in the direction where I might find something like that . . . ”

She shakes her head, breaking whatever trance she was in. “I’m sorry . . . Yes, of course. There’s a section in theLandry library dedicated to bloodlines. Only upperclassmen are permitted there, but I’ll write you a note for them to make an exception.”

Ripping off a lined sheet of paper from the pad in her desk drawer, she scribbles a note and signs the bottom before handing it to me. “I know your mother and I just . . . I find it quite unbelievable that she left you in the dark about this. I’m so sorry, Poppy. That was such a cruel thing for her to do.”

I dip my chin, accepting the note. It is cruel, but I’d expect nothing less from Divina. This is why she predicted Poppy would regret the decision not to include her in her time here.

Such a self-righteous snake.

“Anyway, back to your schedule. We recommend at least two courses focusing on your gift. Since you’re so behind on studying yours, I would recommend you fill both of those spots. Maybe we can even squeeze in a third.”

“I’d love to. Maybe we can just add one this semester and make up for it later?”

Like, perhaps when I fully absorb the mindfuck this all has turned out to be.

“I’m positive we can add at least two, even if we eliminate one of your psych classes. I’m sure I can speak to Dr. Whitlock about working something out. He’s a little uptight, but I know how to handle him.” She winks, her lips spread into a Cheshire grin that makes my stomach turn.

I slip my gaze toward the computer to escape the wave of awkwardness she just crashed over me. This meeting is turning out to be straight from a nightmare. “It’s just . . . I planned on finding a job in town and I’m not sure I’ll have time between all these classes.”

When her expression falls again, I hold my hands up and add, “Nothing too serious to distract from my studies. Just something to put a little extra cash in my pocket.”

“Ah, I see. We’ve got work studies available as well. Most of the favored ones have been picked off, but I can print you off a list to choose from and get you started with that.”

“That would be amazing, thank you.”

Once she finishes typing a note into her computer, she swivels her chair so she’s fully facing me. Her green eyes flick toward the open door before she leans in conspiratorially, lowering her voice to say, “I’m not sure if anyone has explained the rules for leaving campus yet. Our goal, first and foremost, is for our students to keep their focus on their schoolwork. It’s for that reason that we’ve implemented things like weeknight curfews and restrictions on outside jobs.”

Raising my brows, I nod my head. Perhaps that was mentioned during orientation when I was busy panicking about my bags or being caught.

“Students are not permitted in the woods or on the beaches at all, and we have restrictions on when you can go into town. Upperclassmen are only permitted to leave the grounds to visit Nocturne Valley on weekends. Lowerclassmen are given one weekend per month. You can do any shopping or browsing during that time, but we don’t allow any students to take on jobs in town.”

It feels like a rock has settled into my stomach.

I can’t leave the school grounds?

So, no hiking in the woods . . .

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