Lock and Key (Nocturne Academy 1)

“But I have to know—” Ms. Rattcliff exclaimed…and then stopped abruptly.

“You have to know what, Winifred?” Headmistress Nightworthy had one perfectly shaped eyebrow arched and was looking at her with a little frown.

“Nothing. I just…wanted to know how she could possibly work such strong magic by accident,” Ms. Ratcliff said, scowling. She looked at me. “You know, my dear, I can help you if you let me,” she went on, her face smoothing out into a smile about as real as a three-dollar bill. “You can come to me for tutoring sessions—I’ll do them for free.”

“Thanks but I’ll figure it out on my own,” I said shortly. “Though it was nice to meet you.”

Ms. Rattcliff’s black eyes narrowed and her thick lips pulled back revealing her too-large teeth, making her look very much like her daughter, I thought.

“Young lady, you do not dismiss me in that manner. I am your Elder Sister and I deserve respect!”

“I’m not disrespecting you,” I said, carefully keeping my voice calm and neutral. “I would just prefer not to let you touch me again and I would rather figure my magic out on my own. I think that’s my right.” I looked up at the Headmistress who nodded in confirmation.

“She does not have to accept help from you, Winifred. Though it is, of course, very kind of you to offer,” she added in a conciliatory manner.

Ms. Rattcliff’s narrowed black eyes were snapping with anger by now but her voice was calm when she answered.

“Very well, but I think if Megan is going to get a proper magical education she ought to move into the South Tower with the other Sisters. I understand you have her living in the Dungeon now, Headmistress, which is hardly fitting for someone of her illustrious lineage.”

Now, how did she know where I was rooming? Had she asked Nancy? Or did she have some other source of information here at Nocturne Academy?

“A good thought.” Headmistress Nightworthy nodded and turned to me.

“Miss Latimer, would you care to move into the South Tower now that you have proven your magical ability?”

“No thank you,” I said at once. “I’m very happy in the Norm Dorm.”

“The Norm Dorm?” Ms. Rattcliff sniffed. “Whatever is that?”

“It’s what we call the Dungeon dormitory,” I explained, speaking more to the Headmistress than to Nancy’s mother. “Because two of my coven-mates are Norms.”

“If they are Norms then they can’t be considered to be in a coven!” Ms. Rattcliff protested.

“Well, that’s the way we think of it. Besides, it doesn’t really matter what we call ourselves—what matters is our friendship,” I said. I was damned if anyone was going to separate me from my little tribe. Emma, Avery, and Kaitlyn were my people now—we belonged together and that was how things were going to stay.

Headmistress Nightworthy nodded.

“I’m pleased to hear you’ve found some friends here already, Miss Latimer. Of course you may stay where you feel most comfortable.”

“But…but it’s not proper,” Ms. Rattcliff sputtered angrily. “Sticking a Latimer away down in the Dungeon like that! Why, I was her mother’s best friend, so in lieu of any proper guardian, I think I ought to decide what’s best for Megan!”

Right—so she could have me in the South Tower Sisters’ dorm where Nancy could keep an eye on me, no doubt.

“I do have a proper guardian—my Aunt Dellie,” I snapped back. “And anyway, my mother never mentioned you to me once. How do I know you were best friends? You could just be saying that!”

“Are you accusing me of lying?” she demanded, her nostrils flaring to show long black nose-hairs that needed trimming. “How dare you?”

“Enough!” The Headmistress’s voice cracked like a whip, stopping us at once. “Winifred,” she said, frowning at Nancy’s mother. “I asked you here to help in a magical matter—not to dictate where my students are housed or how they are educated. And Miss Latimer,” she added, turning to me, “You must not speak so disrespectfully to your Elders. Ms. Rattcliff may well be your direct superior if you join your mother’s old coven when you graduate. I suggest you show a little restraint with that in mind. Please apologize.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, with as much courtesy as I could muster, though I was still seething inside. “Again, I don’t mean to be disrespectful. I’m just happy where I am and I think I’ll find a way to release my magic eventually.”

I hoped anyway.

But Winifred Rattcliff clearly wasn’t listening to my apology, forced though it was. She was staring at me—staring at the space right between my eyes.

“There’s a mark there!” she exclaimed, pointing at me. “She’s been marked by a male!”

Well now the cat really was out of the bag. I had gotten away with the Blood magic but Griffin’s mark was going to get me into trouble just the same. I wondered if she could tell who marked me just by looking.