Page 60 of A Monarch's Fall

She turned back to me, and something about her felt familiar.

“Something on my face?” she asked with an easy smile, like she hadn’t just manhandled and threatened my rude cousin.

“Are you a shifter?” I asked. From what Arvid had said, I had assumed everyone in the Witching Command centre was, well, a witch, and Kat didn’t have the stereotypical yellow eyes of ashifter, but her presence gave very much shifter energy: strong, calm, in command.

She laughed.

“My grandfather was, yes. I guess we have that in common — we’re both part shifter and Flores,” she answered.

“Maybe that’s why Lady Flores put me with you,” I said.

Kat shrugged.

“I’m sure that likely had something to do with it,” she agreed. “C’mon, I got your room set up for you, and it would be good for you to meet some of the squad before dinner.”

I followed her through the door out of the stairwell and into a corridor of rooms.

She waved to her left, “That side is for squad twelve, we’re here to the right,” she explained as she led me down the corridor and to a door in the middle.

“This is you,” she said as she opened the door for me, and I walked in.

The room was small but functional, a bed sat under a narrow window, a desk to the side and a chest of drawers against the wall next to the door.

On the floor at the foot of the bed was a large rucksack, a pair of boots, and a pair of running shoes.

“I got you all sorted in terms of kit. The drawers should have everything you need clothes-wise, but if you’re missing anything, just let me know. On the desk is a toiletries kit, and the toilets and showers are directly opposite the stairway doors. We have to share with twelve, but we’re both female-only squads, so it’s clean but crowded in the mornings,” she explained.

“Thanks,” I said, not really knowing how else to respond. I was still reeling from the revelation that Mable had put enchantments on me.

“It’s nothing, do you have any questions?” she asked.

“Yes,” I answered and turned to her, “Do you know what enchantments were placed on me?” I asked.

“I don’t know exactly. If I had to guess, I would assume anti-tracking, maybe some form of protection from manipulation. I can try to find out exactly for you, but it might be above me,” she answered.

“Please, if you could, I really want to know,” I said.

“I get that enchantments should never be placed on someone without consent, and why it would be upsetting to learn, but why are you so concerned? It would not have been anything harmful,” she asked.

“I feel different, and I don’t have any reason to really trust anyone here,” I said in a vague answer.

“Different how?” she asked.

“I’m not sure, I just feel it,” I lied.

She nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll see what I can find out. But in the meantime, if you experience anything distressing, tell me.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

“Great, some of the girls are excited to meet you. If you’re up for introductions?” she asked.

I wasn’t, but it didn’t feel like I had much choice, and I reminded myself that if I wanted to get home, I needed Arvid’s help, and that meant I needed to get him answers. I wouldn’t be able to do that if I refused to interact with anyone. Kat seemed nice enough. I liked how she handled Jack, but that was probably because I thought he was spoiled and pompous, and how was I related to someone like him?

“Sure,” I said.

“Right, I’ll show you to our common room. It’s nothing special, but it’s our space for socialising, relaxing, eating outside of the mess hall,” she explained as she led me further down the hall to the end of the corridor.

She opened the door to reveal three women sitting on a beat-up couch in front of a worn coffee table. On the edge of the room was a small kitchenette-type area where I could see a kettle and sink.