I’ve been at The Marked Academy less than a week, and somehow this is my second visit inside the headmasters’ office. Just my luck. I tap my fingers against my knees, and glance over my shoulder every so often, waiting for someone to join me in the room. However, they appear to be letting me stew.

I don’t see why I should be in trouble, I was just trying to help my friend. Surely, they should understand that? And, it’s not like I was the only one out of their room. They just don’t like me, that’s gotta be it. The sound of the door opening behind me cuts off my inner rambling.

I turn around and watch as all three headmasters of the school enter the office, followed by Mr. Daniels. I swear that man is everywhere. One of the headmasters takes the seat behind the desk I’m facing toward. The other two push their chairs over as well, either side of him, so they are all facing across from me. One united front against Kenzie. Because that’s not intimidating at all. A chair scrapes against the floor next to me, I turn my head and notice Mr. Daniels sitting beside me. A warm feeling runs through me as he shoots me a reassuring smile.

“Miss Crowe, what on Ariziadia were you thinking?” one of the headmasters, Mr. Lockhart, asks.

“She wasn’t thinking, clearly,” the headmaster to the left, Mr. Layan, adds.

“Hey!” I exclaim, lurching forward slightly in my seat. A hand rests on my forearm, reminding me to keep calm. I sit back in my seat and glare at the men across from me. “I was just—”

“Being foolish?” The third headmaster, who’s name I can’t remember, says cutting me off.

“That’s not fair, let me explain,” I reply, trying to curb the whine in my voice. This fucking sucks.

“Life isn’t fair, Miss Crowe. Just because you have twelve marks, don’t expect life to give you special treatment,” Mr. Layan says, flicking a strand of his blond hair from his face.

“I’m not expecting special treatment, I’m asking for fair treatment,” I mutter, but he catches it.

“Are you talking back to me?” Mr. Layan questions, glaring at me.

“I’m sure Miss Crowe didn’t mean to, did you?” Mr. Daniels says softly, drawing the focus to himself. “Miss Crowe, if you would please listen to the headmasters, they do have concerns they wish to explain. I’m sure they were just about to get to the point?” he says, his tone laced with bite at the last part directed at the three headmasters, none of which dare to call him on it.

“Yes, yes. Miss Crowe, the people who attacked the school are members of a marked terrorist group. I’m not sure how much of this you have heard about, but they seek to start a revolution, one that would be very dangerous for both humans and our own kind,” Mr. Lockhart explains.

“I’ve heard of them, but why would they come to the academy?” I ask.

“The intelligence we were sent from the council indicates they came for two things. One of which they succeeded in getting, and the other which they failed to collect,” Mr. Lockhart answers.

“What things?” I question.

“One was a necklace, an artifact we believe came across from Ariziadia. It’s believed to strengthen the twelfth power,” the other headmaster answers, giving me a pointed look. I swallow and look between the four men in the room, already knowing the answer but needing to ask all the same.

“And, the other?” I whisper.

“They were after you, Miss Crowe,” Mr. Daniels answers, the seriousness in his low voice sending a shiver through me. I’m silent for a moment, but then a thought strikes me.

“Wait a minute, does that mean they would have gone looking for me? Gone to my dorm room?” I question.

“Well—” Mr. Layan begins, but I cut him off.

“So, you’re telling me off for leaving my room, which I would have been kidnapped from if I stayed put?” I question, not able to stop the snarky tone slipping into my voice.

“Mr. Daniels was instructed to collect you if and when an attack happened. He has a copy of your full timetable, and any regular movements of yours are made known to him. You weren’t where you were meant to be.”

“You’re spying on me?” I ask as I turn to the side to face Mr. Daniels.

“Only to keep you safe. Since you were marked last week, there have been a lot of stirrings from the group. They want you. I’m not sure if it’s your power or for the show of power, but they do.”

“But, I don’t understand, you’re acting like you knew about this for longer?” I question. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair before answering.

“A gifted seer predicted a student would be given twelve marks. I’ve been here under order from the council for the past two years waiting. They wanted me to stay teaching in the school, so it would not look suspicious when the student with twelve did start,” he explains.

“You’re not really a teacher?” I ask.

“I am. Well, now I am anyway. But, my main job is to keep you safe,” he says. He turns and directs his attention to the headmasters. “I do not think Miss Crowe should be staying in the dorm any longer. It’s not safe, I need to be able to keep a closer eye on her, while not interrupting her studies.”

“What are you suggesting?” Mr. Lockhart asks, raising a thick, dark eyebrow in question.

“I think she should stay with me, I have a spare room. Then she would either be with me, in the main building, or attending a lesson,” he says. Stay with Mr. Daniels? He cannot be serious.

“I really don’t think this would be wise,” Mr. Lockhart says, narrowing his eyes on me, as if Mr. Daniels’ insane suggestion was my fault.

“I agree,”

“It’s not a suggestion Mr. Kane,” Mr. Daniels replies, finally reminding me of the third headmaster’s name.

“You can’t just—”

“Am I really going to have to call down to London and get them to overrule you?” Mr. Daniels asks, cutting Mr. Kane off.

Identical looks of annoyance cross all three headmasters’ faces, clearly unhappy with the fact that he could so easily go over their heads.

“Of course not. If this is the best way to keep Miss Crowe safe, then by all means, she may stay with you,” Mr. Lockhart says, his voice suggesting the very opposite of his agreeing statement.

“I do think it would be best,” Mr. Daniels replies, standing to leave. “Come along, Miss Crowe.” I stand and turn around to follow him, not giving the headmasters another look either. They clearly aren’t in charge here.

“Do I get a say in this?” I mutter as we exit the office.

“Not a damn word, Miss Crowe,” he replies without humour, and continues down the corridor, not waiting for me to catch up.