Winter Term
Page 23
“It’s really okay. You’re totally forgiven.”
His features brightened with a smile.
“Besides,” I said, “you can make it up to me next term by not being an asshole.”
He laughed, for the first time since I’d known him. “Fair enough. We’re cool then?”
“Totally cool.”
“Also,” he shoved his thumbs in his jeans pockets, “Lana’s been by to see me, and she invited me to have lunch with you guys. If that’s okay.”
“If you really want to, sure.” I lowered my voice a bit, saying, “Lana can be kind of pushy, if you haven’t noticed.”
He chuckled. “I think she’s funny.”
“So do I. I think—”
The back door of the Dean’s Hall slammed open. A frantic Ms. Duinn sped out, clutching her red and yellow floral skirt in both hands as she ran. Right behind her were two brawny men giving chase. I recognized both of them from the Culling area last term. They’d brought out the students to be sacrificed. I shuddered at the memory.
Ms. Duinn made it another thirty feet before one of them tackled her to the ground. She shrieked, trying to fight him off, and lost the grip on her wand. The other man kicked her wand out of reach before helping to restrain her.
One held her down, as the other handcuffed her. Together they lifted her to her feet. Their struggle had caught the attention of everyone in the immediate area.
“This is an outrage!” Ms. Duinn screamed. “You can’t do this to me!”
“By the Dean’s order,” one of the brawny guys said, “Ms. Eliza Duinn, you are under arrest for murder.”
I stared after them as they took her back inside the building. Murder? Apparently, something big had gone down while I was off campus for a night and a half. I had a feeling the rest of spring break was going to be anything but boring.
To be continued…
I hope you enjoyed the second term at Academy Obscura. The next book is in the works!
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