Rory Blackwood's Arc

Chapter 2 of 13

The morning after the long hall, Rory sat between Luna and a bowl of cold porridge at breakfast. Kael was three tables over, alone, not looking at her. She thought about what he'd said. Loud. She drew a sigil on her wrist under the table and tried to make herself small. It didn't work. A girl behind her laughed too sharp, and Rory flinched, and the pressure in her chest kicked. The candles down the long table flared at once. Wax ran. A window latch snapped open. Every head turned. Across the hall, Kael stood up. The shadows under the tables slid toward him like spilled water. He walked out through the nearest door without looking back. Rory watched the space where he'd been and felt something cold open under her ribs. "Breathe," Luna said. She put her hand flat on Rory's back. Her voice was low and even. "In. Out. He's fine. He just doesn't want anyone reading him while you're doing that." "I'm not doing anything." "I know." Luna's smile was small now. "That's the problem. Rory. Everyone felt that." A prefect in a gray sash appeared at Rory's elbow before she could answer. "Blackwood. Headmistress. Now." Luna squeezed her wrist once. "Tell the truth. She likes the truth." The office was warm and quiet. Headmistress Aphrodite sat behind a desk of dark wood, blonde hair loose, robes stitched with silver marks Rory didn't recognize. She looked like a painting someone had forgotten to age. She didn't stand. "Sit." Rory sat. Her hands went into her lap. She waited for the part where she got sent home. "You blew out fourteen candles and a window latch," Aphrodite said. "Your roommate is worried. The Evenmoor boy left the room. Do you know why." "Because I'm loud." "Because you're unshielded." Aphrodite's eyes stayed on her. "I've felt you since the gate. You are the loudest thing in this building, including me. That is not a compliment. It is a problem I intend to solve." Rory's throat closed. "You're not expelling me." "No. I'm binding you." Aphrodite lifted one hand. A black cat stepped out from under the desk and up onto it, tail high, eyes bright green and gold. "This is Void. He has refused every witch in this school for six years. I brought him in this morning. He came to the door on his own." The cat crossed the desk and sat in front of Rory. He stared at her. She stared back. Her chest, for the first time since her birthday, went quiet. "A familiar takes the overflow," Aphrodite said. "He'll carry what you can't hold yet. In return, you feed him and you don't lie to him. Do you accept." Rory put out a hand. Void pressed his forehead into her palm. "Yes." "Good." Aphrodite's mouth almost moved. "Now we begin."