The Culling Trials 3 (Shadowspell Academy #3)(45)

“Thanks,” I said, and Wally backed out.

I held the envelope up to the light to see if there was any indication of what was in it, but the material was too thick. I ran my hands over it, squeezing it. Not much in it, a couple sheets of paper at most, and no warning tingle to indicate it might be something like poison or a spell. I grabbed my knife from the counter closest to me, put the tip of the blade into the top of the envelope and cut it open.

I peered inside, seeing a single piece of paper folded in half. What the hell was this?

Putting my knife on the side counter again, I reached into the envelope and pulled the note out, flipping it open with my thumb.

It’s not over. Watch yourself.

R.

R. Rory had always signed his name with the same swirly R.

My heart kicked up a notch and a tear slid down my cheek. He must have arranged for this note to be delivered before the House of Night trial.

I folded the note and slid it into the envelope and set it next to my blade. Then I dunked under the water and blew out a stream of bubbles, letting the water hide my tears.

I forced myself into autopilot, once more shoving my grief away to be dealt with—or not—at a later date. We had a freaking advancement ball to go to, and apparently, we were not to miss it. Wrapped in a towel, I stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom in time to see Wally accept two boxes from someone at the door.

“What is this?”

“Something from Mrs. Helix,” she said, handing me one of the long boxes and pushing the door shut with her hip. I was surprised by the weight of it, lighter than I’d expected given the size.

Wally squealed from her side of the room as she pulled out a stunning burgundy gown with more taffeta and crinoline than I had thought possible on a single dress. “Look, Mrs. Helix sent us gowns!”

Holding my towel with one hand, I opened my box with the other—slowly, as if I were half expecting a snake to leap out and bite me. Inside was a bundle of dark material covered in tissue paper, with a note pinned to the front.

With all my thanks.

M. Helix.

“What is it with notes today?” I mumbled under my breath. I pulled the dress out, gasping as the jet black material slithered from the box. Black, but covered in iridescent flecks that once more made me think of a snake. With a twist of my wrist, the material caught the light and those flecks danced.

“Wow.”

There was no taffeta or crinoline on my dress. I saw lace, but other than that it was hard to really make out the shape.

Mrs. Helix had sent shoes along with the dresses, heels that fit perfectly. Wally’s heels were higher than mine, though the style was almost dainty. Mine were a solid three inches with a thicker heel, a scale design that complemented the dress, and straps that wrapped up and over my ankle.

“What is she trying to say?” I asked. Wally looked at me from across from the room, where she sat doing her hair.

“Each house has at least one sigil attached to it. The serpent is one of them for the House of Shade. She’s saying you’re a Shade and everyone had better believe it.”

I didn’t want Mr. or Mrs. Helix to be nice to me and the thought that had been put into the clothes and shoes was no small thing. I held up the black dress, still not quite ready to put it on. “How did she find something so perfect for us?”

“She had these made with magic, obviously. She has a team of fashion designers at her beck and call. Everyone jumps to dress a Helix.” Wally ran a comb through a thin strand of hair before attempting to curl it with an old school curling iron. “She is very fashion forward. We’re going to be the best dressed, just you watch. Oh my God, I’m freaking out a little.”

I sighed and pulled the dress on over my head, the material cool and smooth against my skin. I slid on the heels and turned to look in the mirror.

The bodice top was off the shoulder and made of lace. A subtle design of blades and various other weapons was woven through the curling vines. If you weren’t looking for it, you wouldn’t have seen the details. You’d just think it was pretty lace.

The lower half of the dress was a slippery material that I wanted to call satin, only it was heavier and definitely not any material I’d come into contact with before.

“So…magic.” I plucked at the iridescent black skirt that clung to my legs, noting the slit up one side, and Wally grinned.

“Yes. Very expensive magic.”

Wally slipped in behind me and pulled the zipper up, and I realized there were corset bones hidden in the dress. Once pulled tight, my waistline and minimal chest were accentuated. I touched the boyish cut of my hair. Wally frowned.

I laughed and brushed it, but left it hanging. Sam had cut it for me, and I’d be damned if I was going to change it now. Besides, my sister had been right—the longer front gave me an edgy look as a girl.

I dusted on some makeup I’d borrowed from Wally with serious difficulty, managing to finally pull off mascara and a bit of lip gloss. That would have to do. I grimaced.

Someone knocked at the door and Wally flounced over to open it. Pete stood there in a full suit and tie, his mouth dropping open as he stared at the burgundy fluff that was Wally. “You want to go to the dance with me?” he blurted out.

She laughed. “Well, yeah, we’re all going with you, silly.”

I rolled my eyes and gave her a push from behind. “Go on with Pete. I’ll catch up.”