Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere by Bella Forrest Page 0,12

reality. It might’ve looked unkind out of context, but it was necessary... right? I had to remember that, no matter how much Leviathan tried to nudge the needle on that compass of mine.

“Now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our honored guests, and the people who will become a large part of your lives.” Victoria gestured toward the Basani twins. “Please greet our founders, Shailene and Fay Basani: two of the best monster hunters who have ever lived. And Shailene’s daughter, Charlotte, who is well on her way to becoming a legend in her own right.”

Rapturous applause erupted from the congregation as the ruby-suited twins gave a bow. Charlotte, on the other hand, only dipped her head. Either she hated crowds, or she wasn’t as well-versed in public adoration as her mom and aunt.

“Continue your applause for Ingram MacLoughlin, head of Monster Research.” Victoria introduced a frankly massive man with a shock of bright copper hair and a beard that birds might easily confuse for a nest. He strode out and gave a bow as another figure stumbled along behind him.

“And, apparently, Mr. Nathaniel O’Hara wishes to make himself known to you all. Please, be particularly generous in your applause for Ingram’s assistant, everyone.” Victoria smiled as Nathan turned beet red in the center of the stage. He fumbled awkwardly, not knowing what to do with himself, and everyone duly gave him a bout of explosive applause.

This really isn’t his day. I clapped for him, feeling sorry for the man as he scarpered off the stage like a startled mouse. Casting a subtle glance at Genie, I saw her head turn to watch him hurry away. Not quite as disinterested as she’d claimed, but I wasn’t going to rib her for it.

After Nathan’s fumble, the rest of the faculty paraded across the stage to the tune of Victoria’s introductions. “Tarif Hosseini, master of the hunt. A living legend, who will never allow you to forget it.” She smiled wider as she introduced him—a giant of a man, with a noble look about him, snappily dressed in a red silk suit with a high collar—though I could hear her speeding up to get through everyone.

“Naomi Hiraku, chief engineer, responsible for all of the devices that keep us alive and have provided us with greater safety over the past few years. Argo Ridgeway, head of logistics—or the gatekeeper of fate, as some of you like to call him. Johannes Noah, head of the arena—or Captain Pain, as he has been so graciously nicknamed. Lisbeth Oriel, head of Monster Sciences…” She rattled off a few more names that passed me by, as I was too engrossed in Naomi Hiraku to take them in.

If I was going to succeed here, this smiling, cheery-faced scholar held the keys. Without magic, I’d have to rely on all of the devices and technical wizardry I could get my mitts on to capture even the simplest of monsters.

Victoria settled the crowd again and resumed her power stance, though her black eyes paused on me as she shared her parting words. “All I have to say now is… good luck, everyone. Regardless of what stage you’re at, there is always more to learn. Push past your limits, welcome challenge, and pursue every step with patience and modesty. Don’t be disheartened. Use setbacks as a springboard to keep you moving forward. If you remember that, you cannot fail.”

I won’t let you down, Victoria. I didn’t think I was the sole target of her advice, but it struck me as though she were speaking directly to me. She’d taken a chance on me. A big one, one that could very well change my entire life for the better. And I didn’t plan to forget—or fail, if I could help it.

Three

Genie

Holy Ganymede, this is insane! I had chills by the crapload. The good kind, fizzing up like a shaken soda bottle and ready to pop. We walked through a main hallway in the South Wing, not as spectators but as legit students. Even the layout began to make more sense after looking at the stained glass—different colors for different wings. Sweet, sweet freedom jiggled deliciously in my fair hands, delivered by the most awesome place imaginable. I felt like all my dreams were coming true at once. Even dreams I didn’t know I’d had.

“I wonder what we’ll see first,” Persie whispered. My compadre in life. My sister from another mister. The yin to my yang. Call me a cheeseball, but