Miss Mabel's School for Girls (The Network Series #1)(13)

“Just let me know if I can be of help. Wouldn’t want you getting hurt or embarrassing yourself.”

I wondered how long she’d be able to keep that fixed smile in place. I smiled and turned around, effectively dismissing her before she could leave.

Priscilla moved away with a low grumble of what sounded like murderous intent. Stephany and Jade followed suit. I sat back down, trying my hardest to act as if nothing had happened.

Camille turned to me in speechless awe.

“You were amazing!” she whispered in an exultant cry. “You really gave it to that witch!”

Leda took a more practical approach.

“Better be careful,” she said. “You don’t want to mess with people like Priscilla.”

“She seems like a delightful friend.”

“That delightful friend has talent to brag about.”

Well so do I. Except using it would earn me a fast ticket out of here.

“Like what?” I asked, unfolding the cloth napkin and spreading it on my lap.

“She’s at the top of the third-year class for one, and the Network Protector program has their eyes on her.”

I laughed so loud it drew the attention of a few first-years nearby, who shot me a dirty look before resuming their conversation.

“They would not take her as a Protector,” I said.

“Why not?”

I could tell her curiosity was triggered by the certainty in my tone and realized I may have gone too far. The Protectors were the High Priestess’s spy system. They did anything, and everything. From protecting the High Priestess to infiltrating dangerous places like the Northern Network, to fighting pockets of black magic. By necessity they were secretive; as a sixteen-year old schoolgirl, I shouldn’t know much about them.

“Because she’s too pretty,” I said, and left it at that.

“Well, if that doesn’t work out than she’s still got options. She’s going to graduate with the Curses and Hexes mark, Advanced Transformation, and Astronomy. Not to mention her family is so rich they burn money for fuel.”

I met Leda in the eye.

“She’s not worth being afraid of,” I said. She blinked several times and then looked away. For all her disdain and indifference, I sensed Leda hid what she really felt. There were things in my life to fear. A bully with flawless features wasn’t one of them.

To my relief, a soft tinkling sound filled the air, cutting off our conversation. Miss Scarlett stood, seeming to appear from nowhere, for roll call. I realized the dining room had filled during my moment with Priscilla. Six cauldrons flew out of the kitchen when Miss Scarlett finished and landed with heavy thuds on each table. Bowls and spoons distributed themselves amongst us.

Camille let out a sigh.

“Leda’s right, Bianca. Priscilla is the best witch of all the students. You should see her do transformations. She changed a bat into a dove. She even made Michelle look pretty! She’s going to crush you during the Competition.”

“Thanks,” I said in a dry tone as Camille scooped a pasty blob of oatmeal into my bowl with a resounding plop. “I appreciate your support.”

Camille muttered under her breath, violently shaking out her napkin and almost whipping the girl to her left. But I saw the corner of her lips turn up for just a moment.

We started into breakfast without another word.





Are You Afraid?

Miss Bernadette’s classroom smelled like fresh pine needles.

Two windows with ledges full of cream-colored candles looked out onto the gloomy wood, and a blackboard covered the whole wall behind her. A few obscure paintings of previous teachers filled the space between the windows, and bookshelves ran along the back wall.

The desks in the front buzzed with prattling students. Only Leda sat by herself in the very back, as far from everyone else as she could get, her desk pushed against the wall like a little island in the sea of chairs.

When I walked in, the curious stares of the first-years unnerved me more than meeting the whole school the night before. The calico cat jumped onto a chair in the back, near the fire, and sat like a stoic statue.

“Welcome to the first-year classroom, Bianca,” Miss Bernadette said with her lilting voice. Her smile infused her whole face, like an angelic pixie in a beige dress. “Leda will help you get your textbooks in the library after class.”

Miss Bernadette looked back to Leda, who agreed with a nod.

“Thank you, Leda.”

All traces of Miss Bernadette’s worry from the night before had vanished, filling me with relief. Miss Bernadette was someone I wanted on my side.

“Yes, Miss Bernadette.”

“Go ahead and pick any seat you like. Class will begin in four minutes.”

Camille stayed at my side like a shadow, motioning to the vacant desk behind her.

“What about Leda?” I asked.

“Leda doesn’t like people,” she said. “She sits there for a reason.”

The girl sitting behind the open desk leaned forward and caught my eye.

“Are you really going to go through with this?” she asked.

She had smooth skin, the color of coffee mixed with cream. Her hair spiraled out around her head in a halo of black wires. She was lean and wiry, moving with long, graceful movements.

“Yes,” I said. No, I wanted to say. I just thought I’d do this as a fun joke. Are you laughing yet?