Page 69 of The Kiss Of Death
“Miss Mercier. There is only one stained glass that wasn’t replaced during the big library fire in 1827. Can you tell us what is represented on this stained glass?”
“I—” I frowned. I knew that answer. “It’s the one leading to the library roof.”
The one I was on with Levi.
I saw it clearly. Yet all I remembered was Levi’s face. Levi’s lips. Levi’s hands on me. “I—”
“That’s not the question.”
I shot another glare at this cyborg, wanting to murder him. He looked so smug. Yasmine had her eyes wildly open as Sylas had his hand clenched into a fist in front of his mouth.I can’t lose.
“Do you forfeit, Miss Mercier?” Mr. Morgan asked again.
I closed my eyes, trying to remember something, anything, that wasn’t Levi. “I know the answer.”
“Your time is up. Miss Larovski, if you answer this question correctly, you win.”
“Okay, so it has to be a mythological scene.”
“No, it’s not that. Then—”
I just clasped your wings.
You should read the youngest brother’s book.
Do you know the cursed tale of Morticia’s death?
Levi’s smirk deepened into a sinister curve.
“It’s a bird,” I whispered. “A white dove, as a symbol of renaissance. It was Mortica’s favorite bird. It’s written in the memoirs of the youngest brother. He was so in love with her that after her fall, he replaced the original stained glass with one of a dove he painted himself. It’s the only one that remained intact after the fire. He started the rumors of the roof being cursed so it’d remain their sacred place.”
He loved her and dedicated a cult to her until his death. He never married and locked himself into the Hungway’s manor on the island. None of his brothers or sisters had any children, so their bloodline ended with him. Since then, the manor has been uninhabited and for sale for centuries, with no one daring to step foot inside.
“That is exactly right, but I’m afraid it was past your time, so it’s a tie. Congratulations, students, five points are added to your respective houses.”
I exited the stage, and Yasmine and Sylas dashed to my side, enveloping me in a tight hug. “You rocked it, Dalia!”
“But I didn’t win.” I scanned their faces for signs of disappointment, but they both wore broad grins. “I’m sorry, guys.”
“Everyone knows you won here.”
“How about we celebrate with some board mystery games?” Sylas suggested, spreading his arms wide in invitation.
“I’m so in.” Yas clasped her hands. “And Sylas just explained to me the fastest way to town for our Halloween gala dress shopping.”
Sylas draped an arm around his neck. “Speaking of which, Dalia, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
I smiled. “Yes?”
“I know this may sound out of the blue, but would you like to go to the Halloween ball with me?”
“Oh.” I intertwined my fingers, torn between Yasmine and Sylas. “I was going to go with Yas since neither of us had a date, and—”
“It’s okay.” His blue eyes crinkled at the corner, his lips stretching into a smile. “No problem.”
“But I’ll see you there! I mean, we can still hang out together there, right?”
“Of course,” he said, though his voice seemed slightly strained. “Well, I’m going to organize our victory gaming night.”
