Page 28 of Wings of Ash & Flame
She could keep wandering in aimless circles, or she could do something about it. Alaire pinched the bridge of her nose; he’d left her no other choice. Spinning on her heel, she turned back toward the castle.
Professor Ross had pointed out his office during the initial tour he’d given the novices on their first day.
If he wouldn’t answer her questions, she’d find the answers herself.
The turrets of Eclat Castle loomed ahead, carved gargoyles perched like watchful guardians.
“Keep it down, will you?” a voice rumbled like grinding stone, making her jump, despite already expecting it. One of the gargoyles kept its eyes closed. “Some of us are trying to get our beauty rest.”
Talking gargoyles stood sentry at all the building’s openings. Cranky and moody, they enjoyed offering nonstop commentary on the comings and goings of faculty and students alike. Aeris Academy’s rumor mill began and ended with the gargoyles.
They knew everything about everyone, and boy, did they like to talk about it. They reminded her of Elodie’s endless chatter. Alaire’s heart cracked at the memory.
“You sleep?” Alaire had never expected a gargoyle to need beauty rest.
“Apparently, you do not,” it retorted, full of disdain. “What are you doing wandering around here anyway?”
“Just looking around,” Alaire replied simply.
“Sure, and I’m on my tenth dream,” it muttered.
Stone wings unfurled as another yawned. “Well, well, if it isn’t a little trespasser.”
“Walking the grounds isn’t trespassing. I’m going to bed now.”
“And moving your mouth isn’t talking,” it drawled, lifting its arm to stretch. “Humans.” It settled back into stillness with a dismissive grunt.
Could’ve been worse.At least they weren’t feeling particularly chatty tonight. Alaire waited until their grumbling faded before slipping into familiar corridors. Alaire couldn’t afford to end up on the far side of the castle. Not tonight.
If anyone happened across her, they’d see only an incompetent human who’d gotten lost trying to find her way back to the dorms.
Being underestimated has its advantages.
Alaire moved deeper into the faculty hall. She passed large oak doors with inlaid hinges, each bearing a gold nameplate in flowing, elegant script.
Thick tapestries lined the walls: maps of each territory and renderings of their celestials. A massive griffin stitched in midnight thread dominated one, its wings outstretched in flight—a tribute to the winged celestials of Cielore.
Finally, she spotted Professor Ross’s name. In the polished brass plate, she caught her own reflection—green eyes and a complexion beginning to regain color now that she had access to fresh air.
Alaire raised her hands toward the door. Power radiated from it.
Her chest tightened.
This is incredibly stupid.Reckless. Dangerous.
But also necessary.
If she had any sense, she’d turn around and retrace her steps. But Alaire wasn’t one to take the easy way out. Curiosity and stubbornness had landed her in trouble more times than she could count. If it wasn’t that, it was her inability to keep her mouth shut.
Plan with your head. Lead with your heart.
Life on the streets of Starling Gate had taught her there was always a way around things. But tonight there was no lookout, no time to study how the professor entered and exited his office. She’d have to rely solely on instinct.
As she neared the barrier, something yanked her forward. She tried to pull back, muscles straining, but there was no use. The invisible force dragged her closer. Her skin prickled with static, a whir pounding in her skull, pressure making her teeth ache.
Pain swirled inside her. Her breaths grew ragged the more she fought against whatever held her.
Desperate, she grabbed the door handle as an anchor?—
