Whitethorn Academy

Chapter Twenty-Five

The sight of her froze me where I stood, half sure I was imagining things.

But there she was in front of me, looking the same as the day she left me in front of the police station. She narrowed her eyes as she took me in, not a hint of softness in her features. So familiar, and so alien at the same time.

Her letter had told me what she'd thought of my invitation, so why was she here?

"I didn't think you were coming."

My mother's expression never changed as she looked at me. Her eyes, a light brown, finally snapped to my face. Her scowl, however, never wavered.

"I decided I needed to come." Her voice was formal, stiff.

And despite everything, an overwhelming joy spread through my chest, warming me. Even after her letters and her less-than-friendly disposition, she had come. And without Vincent.

"Selene?" Naomi had a curious look on her face when I turned back to face her. In the heat of the moment, I'd forgotten she was even here.

"Oh, um, Naomi, this is my mother, Natalie."

My mother's appearance was surprising, but Naomi didn't let it show. Her face stayed neutral, before giving way to a small smile.

She held her hand out to my mother. "I'm Naomi and this is my mother, Brynn."

My mother didn't take Naomi's offered hand nor did she reply to Naomi's greeting. Instead, she looked at me with that same sharp look of indifference.

"Where is your headmistress? There are things I wish to discuss with her."

At that statement, Naomi's eyebrows raised. Before turning back to my mom, I gave a shrug of my shoulders. "I'm not sure where Inara is. I just got here."

My mother made no reply, just pursed her lips and stared around the entryway, as if that alone could make Inara appear.

"You're welcome to join us for breakfast," Brynn said. "Naomi and I were just about to head in."

For a second, I was sure my mother was going to turn them down, intent on waiting right here in the entryway for Inara to appear. But then, she conceded. "I suppose the headmistress could be in the dining hall."

Naomi gave me a comforting smile as she and her mother led the way into the dining hall. It was more crowded than usual, with the parents of students in for the day. And the chefs had certainly raised the bar. There was a buffet of food, piping hot. It all smelled delicious as we waited in line for our turn.

"I'm glad you came," I told my mother as we waited.

"It's not for you," she snapped, voice cold. "I've told you I wish to meet with your headmistress."

"Why do you want to speak to Inara so badly?" The question was burning in me. Why had she come all this way to speak to Inara? Especially after she'd told me she wouldn't be coming at all.

The dreams I'd had with Inara at her desk flashed back to me. In those dreams, Inara had said she'd needed my mother for some sort of information. But there's no way that was true, right?

A shiver slid down my spine at the thought.

"Is it common here to call your authority figures by their first names?" My mother evaded the question deftly, but I hadn't really been expecting a straightforward answer from her, anyway.

"Everyone calls her Inara," I answered. "Most of the teachers don't prefer being called by their first names, though."

My mother clicked her tongue as she grabbed an empty plate. "At least some people in this place have some sense, then."