Part 19 (1/2)

At least cla.s.ses were starting to go better, as long as we spent all of every evening studying. Sip was happy with that arrangement, but most of the rest of Publics students, the people who were scared for themselves and their families and didnt like school to begin with, were not.

It had led to something of an underground movement. There was less academic work getting done and there were more parties, which Sip and I didnt usually attend. By evening I was tired, and she either worked on her thesis or wrote for the Tabble. Besides, although my fellow students werent openly hostile to me, it was very clear that they considered me an outsider, if not an outright danger.

The only bright spot in our cla.s.ses was that we rarely saw Faci and Daisy. They tended to stay away from us. If we were in the same cla.s.s they would sit in the back, their heads bent together, plotting who knows what. Unfortunately, Camilla was a different matter. She confronted us every chance she got. She was furious that I had seen Cale and that I had saved his life. She somehow managed to take it as a personal insult.

Dont listen to her bl.u.s.ter, Lough advised me one night after shed been particularly nasty in a Zervos cla.s.s, and true to form, the vampire professor had done nothing about it. She had accused me of cheating on our first quiz of the year. I hadnt, of course, but just the accusation made other students, who were already looking at me warily after Caids calling me out for being friends with Lisabelle, look at me with anger in their eyes.

Shes going to get me in real trouble, I said in frustration. Oliva already doesnt like me.

The next day we were in advanced spells when Professor Erikson again ordered us to pair off.

Tomorrow, she said, we will be naming our Tactical teams. Today I want you to pair off again, no friends please, and lift your partner into the air. Youve been practicing. I expect you all to perform this spell admirably.

I made a face. I hated it when she didnt let me pair with Sip, but once again I found myself staring at Darrow. He smiled shyly at me.

Hi, Darrow, I said.

Hi, Charlotte, he said. Sip gave us both a questioning look.

I had no idea, so I just shrugged. We had a good cla.s.s. Every student lifted another, although Sip, who was paired with Camilla, did her lift a little more violently than was technically necessary.

Sip threw her bag down in frustration. It had been two weeks since we had been in the archives. Sip had gone several times, but she had never been alone. Other industrious seniors had always been present.

Not able to make any progress on that front, we had turned our attention to the question of where Lisabelle was and when Dacer would send us on our first a.s.signment.

There has to be more, she said heatedly. Why arent you dreaming?

We were in our new hangout, the smallest living room in Astra. I liked it because it had three couches, one for each of us. Sip liked it because it had a fireplace, and Lough liked it because it had a big window. Well, really because it was the closest lounge to the kitchen. I honestly think it was because he was hoping that one day Lisabelle would come walking up and he would see her coming along as if shed never been gone. I didnt have the heart to tell him I didnt think it would happen.

You think I know? I demanded. I was sitting cross-legged on the couch with a book about advanced spells propped open on my lap. You dont think Id like to be dreaming of Keller?

Sorry, Sip muttered. She hopped onto one of the other couches. Lough got held up. He and Trafton had something Professor Erikson wanted them to do.

I shook my head. What will they do next year when all the dream givers graduate?

Well, Trafton is threatening to travel the world and find more, which doesnt even count the fact that he has several siblings. I think Lough would make a good professor, but hed never do it without Lisabelle.

Lough came in just then, muttering something about being in need of a m.u.f.fin, and at the same moment the Astra doorbell rang.

We all exchanged looks.

No one ever rang our doorbell. The professors summoned us to them, and friends just walked in, because they knew I didnt have a dorm mother anymore.

I scrambled off the couch as Sip went to start a new pot of tea. Whoever it was, the visitor deserved tea.

Lough stretched out on the couch and closed his eyes.

I flung the door open, and there stood Darrow. He held his hat in his hand, turning it over and over in his fingertips. His eyes, already wide set, looked even larger in the moonlight. He was also staring at me.

Hi, I said, not quite hiding my surprise.

Hi, he said. We stood there awkwardly for a few breaths, until I heard the door to the kitchen open and Sip appeared at my elbow, peering at Darrow.

Oh, hey, she said. I could tell she was just as surprised as I was to see him.

Hey, he said, smiling in relief. Somehow he was more comfortable with Sip than with me.

Come in, said Sip. Are you here to commiserate about Professor Erikson?

Darrow looked confused. No, he said. I mean, I dont think so. I like Professor Erikson.

Sip looked slightly disappointed, but she recovered quickly. Dont worry, she said. You can come in anyway.

Um, thanks, said Darrow. We let him in and he whistled in wonder.

This is amazing, he said, looking around. You have this whole place to yourself?

Sip stays with me now, I said. I dont have a dorm mother.

Im sorry, said Darrow. He followed us into the living room, and Sip disappeared to get the tea.

Lough cracked one eye open and stared at Darrow.

Hi, said our visitor, looking uncertain again. He glanced at me, then continued talking about how cool Astra was.

Loughs eyebrows rose higher and higher as Darrow continued to talk. Sip returned with the tea and offered Darrow some.

He shook his head. I dont drink tea.

Sip stared at him. Who doesnt drink tea?

I just find the taste odd, he said. Sip looked deeply concerned.

I have just the thing. Ill be right back, she disappeared.

So, Darrow, said Lough, sitting up straight. Hows it going?

Good, said Darrow.

Youre very into paranormal architecture, arent you?

Darrow nodded. Im hoping to get more schooling and then make a living from it.

That sounds fun, said Lough. Are you concerned that the demons might make it so that there arent enough paranormals left to employ you?