Page 16 of Crimson Shadows
I’m right.
About going up. Not the lift. Sadly, there are only steps, but ones far more civilised than the ones that brought me to my room. Wide and wooden with a railing, I make my ascent, higher still, until I’m in a glorious bathroom nestled under the very top of the tower. “Wow,” I murmur as I take it all in. The shower isenormous and has a frosted glass pane that serves as the outer tower wall on the side. It has three shower heads.
But first things first. I’m bursting for a pee, and I need to brush my teeth.
Minutes later, I strip off my clothes and step into the luxurious shower, marvelling at the multiple shower heads, which are all pointing at me, making it feel like I’m standing under a waterfall. The intricate tile work laid out in deep blue and white mosaics is stunning. As the hot water cascades over me, I close my eyes and let out a contented sigh. For a moment, I can almost forget the strangeness of my situation and just enjoy the simple pleasure of a good shower.
Glad of the frosted pane when I see creatures swooping around outside, I giggle and wonder what it must be like to fly.
Washing up quickly, urged on by my growling stomach, I turn off the shower and wrap myself in a fluffy towel. I pad back down to my room, feeling refreshed but ravenous.
“So, where do I go for food?” I ask Orby—now his name—but then I remember the sandwiches my mum made and dig them out of my bag. I sit on the bed with the lunch box and tuck in, the cheese and ham hitting the spot and making things seem a bit less daunting.
Only a bit, though. I can’t hide out in this room forever, although I could quite happily do so. But Professor Blackthorn is expecting me, and I need to go downstairs and figure out how to find him. Perhaps the Blue Water lady can help me.
Finishing my breakfast, I get dressed quickly in a white shirt and black pants. The white makes me look paler than usual, but I think that’s what I’m going for. I don’t want to lookhumanin a university full of non-humans. It makes sense to me, so I shrug and brush out my hair before snatching up my backpack and heading out with Orby next to my ear. I shut the door behind me and hear the lock click. With Orby leading the way, I head downthe treacherous steps and out into the early morning, where the entire campus is quiet.
I would saydead, but the thought makes me snicker inwardly and is probably wholly inappropriate. Mist swirls around me as I make my way back to the Housing office, where the Blue Water lady helped me yesterday. I really need to find out what her species is called. She’d probably be insulted to know what I call her.
The doors open for me, and I step inside, looking around. There are a few students milling about, who appear to have arrived this morning, but no faculty members are in sight yet.
“Miss Black.”
I jump a fucking mile at the smooth voice coming from behind and above me. Turning, I clap eyes on the speaker, a distinguished, tall gentleman who appears to be in his early forties or so. He is dressed in a grey suit and flowing black robe.
“Yes, and you are?” I ask, wincing at how rude that sounds.
“Professor Blackthorn,” he states. “You are with me today.”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“We have much to go over. Have you eaten?”
“Yes, but where do I go for food? I had sandwiches from home.”
He blinks. “Do you have the map?”
I blink back. “Oh, the map, right…” I chew my lip. That is upstairs on the desk under the Welcome letter, which I’d forgotten all about.
Professor Blackthorn chuckles and snaps his fingers. A piece of parchment appears in his hand, and he holds it out for me. I take it and stare at it.
“There,” he says, pointing to an area on the map that saysDining.
“Ah, okay. Jolly good,” I say and then roll my eyes at myself.Jolly good? Who the fuck says that?
“Come,” Professor Blackthorn says and turns on his heel to lead me deeper into the building.
I feel eyes on me as I follow Blackthorn down a darkened corridor lit up intermittently by magickal fire torches. Or I assume they’re magickal. They don’t give off any heat as I pass them. My skin tingles, and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end as I follow Professor Blackthorn down the winding corridor, trying not to gawk at the ever-changing portraits on the walls.
“So, Professor,” I say, breaking the silence, “what exactly does being a Vesperidae mean? I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this.”
He spins back around, his finger on his lips. “Hush, girl. Not so loud.”
“Huh?” I mutter, but lower my voice anyway. “Why not?”
“You are a well-kept secret and that is the way we intend to keep it. At least for now.”
“Why?”
