Page 94 of House of Ruin
“Auburn was the one who said she remembered,” Val said, her voice sly. “She might be willing to talk.”
“Fuck off, Val,” Blaze said. “She doesn’t know shit. And she’s definitely not going to talk.”
Val smirked. But she didn’t push any further. “Fine. Let’s find another way to figure out who’s behind the murders.”
35
On a Monday morning, Alecto found herself dozing off at the sound of a professor’s voice. A silentwhooshsnapped Alecto right out of it.
When she opened her eyes, resting on her open textbook was a smoldering piece of paper. Alecto murmured a spell to stop the burning and picked up the note, reading the few words scribbled on it:
when everything around
is shrouded in the darkness
deep and dark as the darkest pit of Hel
in my mind I see you
lighting the way out.
—Yours
Goose bumps rose over Alecto’s skin, and she fought the urge to lift her eyes and find Norse sitting not that far away from her in the classroom.
It had been long enough since the last note that Alecto almost managed to erase the memory of them from her mind. Almost. She’d hoped her cold behavior was enough of a deterrent to back off for Norse.
Yet here was another one of those weird little love notes that Alecto couldn’t fathom the meaning of.
“Some of the Grand Witch Jury members believed Mistress Devon was entitled to revenge and spoke against sending her to Kelthazane.” Professor Fallo’s voice reached Alecto’s ears.
She shifted her attention from the note in her hands to the professor standing at the front of the small classroom.
It was hard to ignore the thrashing heart in her chest and throat, but Alecto managed.
“I’m with the jury here,” Galia chimed in. “According to the Prime Witch Law, betraying a sanguillian bond can be punished with death. It’s written in the First Book. It was Mistress Devon’s right to kill her sangi.”
“Yes, Miss Rathone, according to the Prime Witch Law, a witch is entitled to punishing their sangi in whatever way they deem acceptable,” Professor Fallo said. She leaned her hip against her desk, crossing her arms. “But you see, the problem with Mistress Devon was that she didn’t seek punishment according to the Prime Witch Law. She chose the path of secret revenge.”
Hendrix snorted. “Well, what’s the fucking difference? One’s written in the First Book and the other is not?”
“Very good question, indeed, Mr. Monterey. How was Mistress Devon’s revenge any different from the punishment she was entitled to carry out on her lover? Anyone have any thoughts on it?”
Alecto dipped her head down, burying her face in her textbook. She rolled the note between her fingers, reading the words over and over. But her mind could only focus on revenge.
Carefully, Alecto stole a glance to the side where Blaze sat. His chin rested on his hand, his eyes blinking lazily, letting the long lashes brush his high cheekbones.
Funny. Like that he almost looked angelic. Solemn.
A weird emotion Alecto couldn’t identify clawed at her chest. Alecto ignored it, pushing it aside without giving it a second thought. Instead, she focused on the emotion that was so much more familiar. Welcoming even.
Her anger.
“It shouldn’t be any different.” Alecto’s mouth worked before her mind did, answering Professor’s question. “The right for punishment is written in the First Book, deeming it acceptable. The need for revenge is not, making it a crime. In the end, it’s one and the same, just wrapped in a different shiny paper.”
Professor Fallo arched an eyebrow. “So, you think revenge is seeking punishment and vice versa, Miss Black?”
Alecto shrugged. “I think the governor got what he deserved, and the Prime Witch Law is behind the times.”
