The Shadow Student (Wraithwood Academy #1) - Teresa Hann Page 0,26

code if you want.”

“Nah, I’ve got it.” The compass needle wobbled a few times, then settled on a direction in front of us.

We delved into the stacks, Aegis following diligently behind us.

“Loyal guy,” said Darshan, eyeing him.

“You have no idea,” I said, trying to keep the bitterness out of my voice.

We picked out a fat stack of books on Abjuration in short order, ranging from the theoretical to the practical. Fortunately, the library provided little floating carts for putting books in, which made it a lot more convenient to read while carrying books back.

“Oh, this is an interesting trick,” I said, skimming a volume on creative applications of shielding. I raised an arm and tried to replicate the hand gestures it described, which was supposed to create a shield that wrapped around my body like a suit of armor. The technique had fallen out of favor due to its higher cost in magic, but it seemed like it would have useful niche applications…

Distracted, I nearly ran face-first into Arcturus Nightfeld.

“Oh shi—” I backed up even as Arcturus twitched away from me like I had the Redbriar cooties. He was standing next to our table, as if he’d been waiting for us. “What are you doing here?”

“I was informed you’d be here,” Arcturus said coolly. “I’m glad you won’t be wasting more of my time.”

“You could’ve called ahead.” Or not, given that I didn’t actually have a phone. “What do you want? If Acubens wants to fight me again, tell him I’ll consider it.”

Arcturus regarded me coldly. “I’m here to personally deliver an invitation.” He took out an expensive-looking envelope and offered it to me. I noted that he held it by the corner, pinched between gloved thumb and forefinger. He wasn’t shy about minimizing Redbriar contamination.

I took it; my sense of self-preservation made me resist the temptation to ‘accidentally’ caress his hand in the process. The gold-embossed card inside the envelope cordially invited me to a party at the Night Gardens on Friday evening.

I looked up at Arcturus. “You don’t even like me.”

“I’m aware of that,” said Arcturus, looking down at me. “This party is traditionally held at the end of September for all students from the Great Houses. I will do my duty as the host despite my personal feelings. And I expect you to behave suitably as a guest.”

His words were a warning. Arcturus was the acknowledged first among equals of the Great Houses on campus, and I was attending on his sufferance.

Arcturus swept one last unimpressed glance over us, vassal, no-name, and Redbriar alike. Then he left, leaving us staring at his back.

“Well,” said Darshan, looking slightly dazed.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “This is going to be an awkward and potentially hazardous party,” I said, turning to Aegis. “And I suppose I can’t decline without losing face for the family?”

Aegis nodded, lips thinning. “If the other Great Houses are going, we have to go too.”

I looked at the invitation in my hands. There was opportunity here. At a party, I could probably escape Aegis's watch long enough to talk to somebody in private, or at least pass a note. This might be my last chance to ally with the Nightfelds, if I could manage a conversation with them that didn’t involve them threatening me.

If. There was danger here, too. I had a sinking feeling that I was headed straight into the lion’s den.

Chapter 12

I gripped the edge of the bathroom sink as a memory flooded back, unbidden. Another time I’d looked in the mirror. Sparkly hair clips and Mom’s lipstick. The smell of Mom’s hair as she hugged me. You look so pretty, Cassie!

“Ready?” Aegis asked from outside the door.

“Almost!” I blinked away the memory and finished coloring my lips red. I had to do it with illusions, because I knew Cly wouldn’t let me borrow her actual makeup.

At least she’d been forced to lend me a dress. It was a nice one, black and slinky, showing off my curves without being too impractical. If I had my way, I’d go to the party in a suit of armor, but this was the next best thing. I threw the leather jacket over my shoulders for reassurance.

Aegis stared when I came out of the bathroom, which would be flattering if I weren’t wearing Cly’s face. Cly, for her part, just glared. “Took you long enough. Try not to humiliate me at the party.”

“You can always go yourself, if you wanted,” I said sweetly.

Cly scowled and turned