Page 30 of Switching Graves

The traditional degree programs that regular people see when they research Ravenshurst from the outside are secondary to the courses that delve deep into these lines. Many of them are taught alongside the legacy courses to prepare students to apply their gifts in the real world.

I’ve learned that, as Abigail said, the Valerias are highly successful in fields such as psychology or social work. With the ability to see the past and future, the Aeternum line would be successful as historians or librarians. Aetheris are more physical, and they succeed in law enforcement or athletics.

For centuries, these families have dominated the industries they excel in and have lived among the rest of society in secret.

When I mocked Poppy about life not being a Disney film, I had no idea I’d be proven wrong so spectacularly.

So, my plan is to wait. To keep an open mind and gather as much information as I possibly can. I’ll either be found out for not possessing a shred of empathetic gifts, or I’ll wake up from this fever dream and be back at Flower Power with Carol breathing down my neck about taking more shifts.

Either way, it’s going to be a wild ride.

14

Sonny

There’s rustling in the hallway, just outside my door. I’ve lived in my dorm for over a week and have barely heard my hallmates as they come and go, let alone any action happening in the common areas. When I leave for class, I’m lucky to find a random student in the elevator or lobby with their head stuffed into their phones or books at one of the study pods—a clear sign they don’t want to socialize. Beatrix never came back, and the resident advisor has yet to introduce herself.

Needless to say, the dorms are near-silent. Even this past weekend, I prowled through the building looking for an open nook or table to study the bloodlines at and found the lobby and study rooms completely deserted. Almost as if no one really evenliveshere. It’s the strangest phenomenon.

Which is why, when I hear the floor creaking and the low rumble of voices on the other side of my door, I’m taken off guard. I practically fling myself from the couch to the door, pressing my ear against the wood to see if I can hear them more clearly.

Of course, I can’t. The move just makes me look like a paranoid freak. I decide immediately that I won’t be telling Poppy this part when I share the day’s events with her.

I give my visitors a few moments to knock or make their presence known, but that never comes. Slowly working up the nerve, I pull the door open and am surprised to find two women standing on the other side, arguing in sharp whispers. Once they realize they’ve got an audience, they each straighten their backs and sober their expressions.

“Hi, I’m Ava. This is Beatrix,” the tall one says, large eyes blinking rapidly. Her golden-brown skin is impeccably smooth across high cheekbones and sharp jawline. Dark hair is pulled into a loose, curly ponytail that hangs down her back. She holds her hand out to Beatrix, the girl from my first day with blue hair.

“We’ve already met,” Beatrix reminds me, shooting her friend a rueful glare. “And I also told her we’d be back.”

“Of course.” I force a smile, my eyes shifting back to the first girl—Ava. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’m your Resident Advisor,” Ava explains. “Beatrix has just told me you made it in, or I would have stopped by sooner. You’re our last new addition to the fifth floor. I wanted to introduce myself and let you know that if you have any questions or concerns, you can find me at the end of the hall.” She lifts an arm and points her finger to the left.

“Okay, perfect.”

I lean against the door, widening my eyes expectantly when the awkward silence falls between us.

Beatrix sighs, and Ava bites her lip before rushing out, “We’re pretty laid back here. Don’t smoke without opening a window and try not to get too rowdy. No one will bother you.”

“Pretty standard stuff,” I laugh, twisting the doorknob nervously. “Although, it must not be hard to enforce in a quiet place like this.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sure this is not what you expected when you flew off to college, is it?” Beatrix jokes, crossing her arms and leaning against the door jamb.

Ava frowns. “It’s always quiet like this at the beginning of the school year, when the new residents move in. They’re all too afraid to make a noise without the faculty reporting it and costing them their spot. Things will pick up in a few weeks.”

“Until then, the veterans usually hang out in the courtyard or with our friends in Vandenberg. It’s the regular upperclassmen residence hall. You could always check out Burton or Duren, too,” Beatrix explains, rattling off the list of residence halls I’ve seen signs for around campus.

“Makes sense. I haven’t ventured out of my dorm that much yet.”

“You totally should! The campus is beautiful. You can justfeelthe history in every building. Especially the original Landry estate.”

“Ava is a history major, if you can’t tell,” Beatrix explains, twisting her lips.

Ava straightens her shoulders with a proud smile that scrunches her nose and wrinkles her eyes, completely ignoring the teasing in Beatrix’s tone. “You can’t change the world if you don’t learn the mistakes of the past.”

“She thinks she’s a superhero, or something,” Beatrix scoffs and Ava responds by jabbing her elbow into her side. “Typical Viridia.”

That has my ears perking up. I survey Ava’s appearance, mentally comparing it to what the books described. Something about her presence feels so calm and comforting. I can certainly see how she could make a good healer.

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