Page 62 of A Curse So Cruel
It’s obvious from his tone of voice that they’re not going to give me any more information than that, so I don’t press the matter. Turning, I lift my hand, and I’m about to grab the doorknob of my dorm door, but I hesitate. I’m not ready to see Kenzie just yet, and I have sand in places that sand shouldn’t ever be. What had Kenzie said? That shadow magic can make you neat, but it doesn’t really clean you the way a hot shower can.
With my mind made up, I decide to head to the communal washroom instead. Thankfully, because everyone is likely resting before they have to go to dinner, the space is completely empty.
I quickly relieve myself, wash my hands, and move to the other end of the washroom. The main bathing area is massive, with black tiled walls that reach as high as the ceiling, and multiple stalls where individuals can shower. Right at the back is a long, rectangular pool with crystal water, and light reflects on the tiled walls. I stare longingly at the water, but I hate the idea of putting sand in there.Shower first,I tell myself.I’mstripping off when I notice Elgyn and Tarlaz are accompanied by a whole group of other shadows now. They’re high above me, staring from the ceiling, and some of the shadows are making rude gestures.Well, that’s just lovely.
My hand hesitates at the front of my pants.“How did you get in here?”
“Same as we travel around the rest of the academy,”Elgyn answers bluntly.
“Yeah, but I mean in here, specifically.”I gesture to the washroom.
“Oh, there’s no barrier to stop us,”Elgen answers.
My brows lift.“But I assumed seeing as you never enter the dorm rooms, that some of the spaces must be off limits to you.”
“Oh yes, some places are, but the washroom is not,”Tarlaz replies.“I remember overhearing the discussion when the academy was built. We can enter this place. Yes. Always.”
Oh, great.I wonder if this is another one of the professors’ strength-building exercises.Wait…have the shadows been watching me when I’ve come in here to pee?I try not to think about it.
I contemplate leaving, because showering isn’t sounding so appealing anymore, but then I remind myself that I have sand between my ass cheeks. Getting a rash there definitely sounds worse than bathing in front of shadows, so I try to ignore them and continue stripping off. I mean, if they want to gawk then so be it. Cat calls sound in my head when I remove my pants, but I don’t look their way as I head for one of the shower stalls.“You’re not ruining this for me,”I mutter, and Elgyn cackles like it’s a challenge.
Oh, sweet paradise.The steamy water is bliss against my skin, and I hum as the water eases my aching muscles.
I stand there for a long while simply letting the water run down my body, stream past my eyes, and soak through my hair,but eventually, I force myself to focus on actually getting myself clean. When I’m sure I’ve washed away the sand, except for maybe a few stubborn grains in my hair, I turn the water off. I’m about to open the stall door and dash to the bathing pool, when I hear familiar voices and the sound of footsteps as a group enters the washroom.
Crap. What are they doing here? It must be close to dinner time.I keep silent, the cool air making bumps prickle over my skin.
“You could have warned me I was about to have company,”I hiss to Elgen and Tarlaz.
“This is a communal space,”Tarlaz replies.“Students use the washroom often.”
“Yes, I get that, but you could have said Satine was coming,”I point out.
Elgen cackles in my head, and I grit my teeth, containing my frustration.
“What do you think they’re doing out there?” A nasal voice says as someone turns on a tap at the sink. I recognize Paiton’s voice easily, one of Satine’s minions, and I strain my ears, trying to make out what she’s saying.
“How the hell would I know?” Satine snipes back. The water clicks off, and through the tiniest crack at the edges of the stall door, I see Satine and her two minions standing near the sinks. Satine is staring at her reflection in the mirror, her hands gripping one of the stone sinks tightly.
“Oh, that’s right,” Izzy teases, her voice unkind. “You wouldn’t know, because you’ve never had a private lesson with Professor Raith.”
“None of us have,” Paiton says. “He’s never kept a student back like that.”
“Shut up, both of you,” Satine snaps. “It’s not a private lesson. I’m sure he just wanted to reprimand her or something.”
“Sure,” Izzy adds, not sounding convinced. “For a whole hour. Did you see the way he was looking at her? I wouldn’t mind if he wanted to reprimand me. From what I hear, she’s still not back yet, so I’m guessing the professor is reprimanding her real good.”
“How long do you think it’ll be before she graduates?” Paiton drawls, inspecting her black nails. “Did you see her creature?”
“You mean the pathetic bird in the sky?” Satine retorts bitterly.
“I don’t know what I saw, but whatever it was, no one has summoned their creature during their first lesson,” Izzy points out. “Maybe the new girl isn’t as weak as we thought. What if the professors see something in her that we don’t?”
“She has a point,” Paiton adds. “Professor Knox was pretty angry earlier when you fought her during offensive training.”
Satine’s top lip curls, and she seethes as she stares at her reflection. “Professor Knox was the one who paired us for the fight. More than likely, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the feeble new girl. When the professors realize what a dead weight she is, and how she’ll never survive on a battlefield, she’ll be cut loose like all the others.”
Now, that part stings. Only because I know there’s truth in Satine’s words. I’mnotmade for the battlefield, and worse than that, I might possibly be the one person who can make us lose this war. A heavy knot forms in my stomach, but I have no time to feel sorry for myself now. I see the exact moment Satine notices me. Her entire expression changes when she stares in the mirror, no longer looking at her reflection, but at the lump of clothing piled on the bench in the middle of the room. Distinct leather clothing with black feathers poking out from the pile.Oh, crap.