Page 29 of Savage Hope

My fingers tremble at the words and my eyes lock on the familiar gold bands around my wrists—my bangles. I have never tried to remove them. I have never considered it, but I’m starkly aware that they’re the only items I’ve never taken off since being at Florentine’s. It may have been eight years ago when I arrivedthere. Well, ten if what Mrs. Stephens said is correct, but I know these bangles have been a part of me forever.

Toying with the metal, I know it’s not worth considering whether they will come off. I already know they won't. What captivates me further as I look at them is the knowledge that wherever they came from was once home.

I've always known it, and I’ve always felt it in my gut every time I look at them and my coin.

Now I know it's the truth.

Part of me aches because progressing in my life means losing them. However, as long as I keep my coin, I can achieve anything.

I close the manual with a thud, exhausted by the knowledge that now resides in my mind. My fingers slip into my pocket, wrapping around the coin, and I draw strength from it as I always do.

Tonight, I may drown in the unknown, but come tomorrow, I will strive for the once unachievable.

12

POLARIS

My nerves threaten to get the best of me on what is officially my first day at Trinity Falls Academy. A day I didn't think was coming. A day I didn't know existed until yesterday. Yet here I am, exhausted to the bone but willing to try and see where this may lead.

I barely slept at all last night. The unfamiliar surroundings and the chaos from the past twenty-four hours kept me awake. Even when the building was nearly silent, my own breathing distracted me too much to let my eyelids fall closed. It was almost impossible to succumb to sleep. At one point, I considered using the newly issued cell phone to figure out how to contact Florentine’s and have Professor Stephens use her magic on me to make me sleep again. But even I'm not that crazy. I don’t think.

Instead, I tried to keep myself busy rather than lying in bed. The last thing I want to do is train my brain to think that the bed is just for lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling. I want to be able to slip beneath my new sheets and have my brain switch off from the outside world. It’s just going to take a bit more training than I had hoped.

I did it at Florentine’s; I can do it here too. I don’t think I slept very well during the first month I was there. They may have tampered with my memories, but I remember the sleepless nights all too well.

I’ve managed to organize my clothes into the drawers and armoire, where I found a long mirror on the inside. Now, I stand here looking at my reflection.

I don't know who I am.

After rifling through all the clothes, I find myself faced with a choice I’ve never had before. Instead of the usual Florentine-issued uniform, I have options and I don’t know what to wear. After a moment of careful consideration, I opt for a pair of slim black sweats, a short-sleeved, plain black t-shirt, and a gray jacket. I’ve got a choice of boots, flats, or sneakers available, all in my size, just like the clothes. I am still unsure how they knew this information about me, but I opt for the sneakers, choosing comfort over anything else as I prepare to walk these new halls. My silver hair falls around my face in loose curls since I managed to run a brush through the ends, but that's about all I've done. There's a hair tie on my wrist, just in case I need it, but the few cosmetic items lining the top drawer of my nightstand remain untouched.

Makeup? What am I supposed to do with that? I’d rather not make a fool of myself on my first day. Maybe ever.

Before I can delve deeper into examining my reflection and decide on another outfit change, a knock sounds from the other side of my bedroom door. Nerves threaten to steal my breath as I run my hands over my jacket. Attempting to take a deep breath, I cautiously approach the looming barrier that stands between me and whoever is knocking. I pry it open just a little, and I’m surprised to see Bryony.

For the first time, I take in her features. Her blonde hair is braided back off her face, and I'm relieved to see that she is alsowearing a more casual outfit—a mauve pair of matching sweats and jacket, a white tee, and sneakers.

Her eyes track me, just as I assess her, like two predators trying to decipher each other’s intentions, until she clears her throat. “Are you joining us this time?” she asks, pointing toward the stairs as her gaze becomes expectant.

“Yeah,” I manage with a nod, my heart pounding in my chest. I might not be the best at being friendly or positive, but I need to make some kind of connection with the others if I’m supposed to join a coven. I don’t actually understand what that entails, but the one thing that kept me up more than anything else last night was the knowledge that I won’t survive this place with my usual standoffish vibe. Well not that alone at least. I need to learn, and I need to learn fast, especially when everyone here is cursed too, only they have powers and abilities my sigil refuses to relinquish.

Aware I’m not actually moving, I take a step back, pointing behind me. “Let me just grab the manual,” I rattle, my panic reaching new heights as she scoffs and grabs my arm before I can take a single step.

“You won't need that,” she insists, and my eyebrows gather in confusion.

“But my schedule,” I mutter as uncertainty gets the better of me.

She sighs, pulling me out of the doorway and leaving me no choice but to follow her. “You're with me all day, so I've got you. I know where we’re supposed to be and when.”

She slips her hand from my door as it clicks shut behind me, heading toward the stairs as I stare after her. Without a backward glance, she descends the stairs, and I finally remember how to move. As always, worries plague my thoughts, but I refuse to give in to them, tamping them down as I fall into step behind her.

The silence is deafening as I scramble to think of something to say. “Aren’t you older than me?” I blurt, instantly cursing myself internally. The scathing look she gives me over her shoulder is answer enough.

“No, I’m twenty too. I’ve just been here longer than you. Everyone usually comes here when they’re fourteen. It’s just the Florentine students that arrive later,” she states, and all I can do is nod.

We reach the bottom of the stairs to see a few other witches hovering around in the lounge area. I don't see D or H, but that doesn't matter. We weren't friendly before we got here. That's not going to change now.

Bryony doesn't wait around for me to follow her outside, but she does slow down to fall in step with me once I do. Following the pathway toward the main academy building, I tilt my head back, letting the early morning sun beam down on me. It’s strange to see and feel it so early in the day, but I think it might be my new favorite sensation.

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