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He held it out. The Dark Art of Eternal Bonds, I read, as I grabbed the old book.

“Listen, Blake,” Rodriguez started to say, just as the door swung open.

“Visha,” I exclaimed as my Second walked in. She looked just as surprised to see me as I was to see her.

I stared. Her short platinum-blond hair was swept back in a messy twist. She was dressed to kill—wearing a sleek crimson sleeveless corset-top paired with tight black trousers.

My brain stalled for a second, then finally caught up. “Visha,” I managed to squawk. I looked behind me at Rodriguez. He had a sheepish look on his face.

The instructor cleared his throat. “We’ll talk more later.” His eyes flicked to the clock like he’d lost track of the time. “Miss Vaidya, I assume you’re here to talk about your essay?”

I blinked at him. “You’re kicking me out? Now?”

Visha stepped in front of me without looking me in the eye. “Absolutely, Professor. I’d love to have you look over my thesis.”

“Really? You’re not carrying any notes,” I pointed out.

Visha turned, staring down her nose at me coolly. But her face looked a little flushed. She tapped the side of her head. “Don’t need notes. It’s all up here.”

Rodriguez pinched the bridge of his nose. “Blake, you have the book. Take it and go before I feel the urge to pull out another bottle.”

Behind me, the door clicked shut. I stumbled out into the hall-way, clutching the book as if it could do more than save me—as if it might be able to block out the mental images I was absolutely, definitely not having.

CHAPTER 17

FLORENCE

Neville was following me, trotting at my heels since I got back. Since I landed, I should say.

I shivered, half in fear, half in delight. I’d landed on the back of a dragon. Neville had been sitting on the wide expanse of grass down near the greenhouse waiting for me, with a look on his face that one could only describe as smug.

“Wipe that look off your face,” I hissed down to him now. “You’ve been wearing it long enough. It’s absolutely ridiculous.” The fluffin made a happy mewing sound. With a sigh, I bent over, letting my heavy bag slide down onto the ground. Then I scooped the little furball up into my arms and rubbed his head gently. “I suppose you think you’re coming inside.”

He made a soft barking noise.

“Fine,” I said with resignation. “But you’d better be quiet.” I shifted my grip on the fluffin and nudged the heavy door to the Avari Tower open with my boot.

It was strange to be returning like this. It felt like I’d been away much longer than I really had. The common room was dimly lit, cozy, and quiet. I inhaled. Someone had been burning sage. I stepped in, only realizing then that it was too quiet. Then I heard it—weeping. A girl was curled up on a sofa near the fire, sobbing into her hands. A small cluster of students surrounded her. One rubbed her back. All of them were blightborns.

Across the room, a group of highblood students stood together, talking in low voices. I recognized one of them—Evie, one of the House Avari wardens.

I walked over slowly. “What happened?”

Evie glanced at me. “Shen. Nice of you to join us. You’re back, then?”

I nodded awkwardly. “Yes. What’s going on?”

“Lysa’s mother died.”

“That’s so sad,” I murmured. It was rather kind of the highblood students to stand to one side so respectfully.

But Evie wasn’t finished. “She was murdered.”

My stomach dropped. “Murdered? How? In Veilmar?”

Evie shook her head. “No, back in her home village. Somewhere on the eastern coast.” She gave me an assessing look as if debating whether to say more. “A highblood did it.”

My eyes widened. “That’s awful.” I looked over at the crying girl. Her life would never be the same. I understood: I’d lost my father at a much younger age.