Page 50 of Architecti
A whisper.
A scream.
I scan the area, searching for the source.But my name is nothing but a thread on the breeze, like I’m sewn into the fabric of the campus itself.I suppose, we all are after the Severance ceremony.
The sensation of being watched crawls under my skin and settles against my bones.It’s no longer just Ignatius I owe something to.It’s Finis too.
Lex and Bastien share a look.
“Everything okay?”Lex asks.
I nod, because I can’t seem to get a lie out of my mouth, and I’m not sure confessing I made a deal three minutes into being here is the smartest overshare.
She narrows her gaze at me.“If the answer is no, that’s okay, too.You don’t have to pretend with us.”
Her words make my teeth ache, guilt furring my tongue until the words skitter out.“I… No, not really.”
Bastien offers me his arm.“Come on, let’s get inside and find our rooms.Today was a lot, and I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”
I slide my hand over his arm, and while his gesture is a comfort, with his limp, I end up supporting him more than he does me.
It reminds me of their offer to support me to break my contract.I’ve never had help.I’ve always been on my own.After Aurelia… It’s not like I have any family left.
Their offer is lovely, but is it a distraction?People generally are.How much time can I afford to invest in developing friendships when I have to stay focused on winning the Demonic Favour?
I need to study as hard as I can and not get sidetracked by anything else.Not when I’m seemingly starting a mile behind every other student.
“Are you going to tell us what’s up?”Lex asks, stepping up to the porch.
“Umm.Yeah,” I say, brushing her off.
“She’s lying,” a weed-like voice says.
The gargoyle is awake and scowling at me.I notice a plaque beneath his feet; it’s worn and crumbling but I think it says Vetch.
“Hello to you, too.I’m Midnight.”
I tickle under his right ear.It’s rounded and plump, a stony earring hanging from it.He has stubby feet and clawed toes nestled under his chin.He purrs like a cat, only grittier.The more I tickle, the more his toes kick against the door like a kangaroo.It’s adorable.
“Gerr off,” he grumbles.
“Was it that girl outside the severance?The one that got into our House, what was her name?”Bastien says.
Lex smiles the way only an honours student can.“Aurelia.”
“She has nothing to do with this,” I say, too sharp, too quick for it to be true.
“Liar,” Vetch smirks.
I fire a vicious glare at him.
Bastien tugs on his ear.“Quite the character we have as our door goyle.”
Vetch narrows his stony eyes to slits.“Vetch will guess your secrets too, boy.Vetch is good at secrets.”
“Oh, do go on, this should be fun,” Bastien says, leaning against the porch pillar.
Vetch sticks his tongue out, slobbering over his lips, dusty stone drool floating to the ground.
