House of Bone

Chapter 17

Two days later and they still haven't given me their response.

I do get that they need time, but the sooner the better, and then I can send more details to Ora.

Absolutely nothing from the classes is sticking in my brain, and I'm slightly worried about the testing later today.

If I can't concentrate now, I don't know how on earth I will manage to do so later.

"Kyra!" Master Zylar called out, "You may be good at lettering but that doesn't give you an excuse not to do any work."

I jolt out of my seat, "Sorry," I mumble, and get back to my work.

It gets so repetitive doing the same thing over and over again, it didn't make sense that we had to write out the same alphabet again and again, until our lettering was perfect. It's not like we were going to become important House leaders who needed to send out or respond to invitations every two weeks.

It's not like we'd ever be anything of note if we don't get out of here soon.

The rest of the lesson passes slowly, and I barely get through the work we're given for the session, and Master Zylar gives me a concerned look as I hand my work in.

"Are you doing alright Kyra? You know you can talk to me if you want to."

"Just a lack of sleep." I reply, not lying, but not telling the entire truth either as I'm not sure if I can trust him, and even if I could, I wouldn't be comfortable sharing my inner thoughts to anyone, let alone a teacher.

He nods, seeming to believe my lie, "Alright then, better be off to your next class before you're late."

I hurry out the door, eager to get out of this awkward conversation.

The others are waiting for me outside and Tia rests a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry if the amount of time we've taken to make our decision is wearing on you Kyra, we're almost done, I promise. But you will need to hold out a little longer."

She gives me a quick hug before bounding down the hall to catch up with Shade.

***

The looming door of the testing rooms are ahead of us, the first time after them increasing the amount of testing. I take a shaky breath in, trying to calm my nerves.

"I'm sorry." I whisper under my breath, apologising to the others for something they didn't know that I caused. I'm not even sure how I caused it.

"You say something Kyra?" Tia asks.

I shake my head, "No, just nervous."

She sighs, "I would say it gets better with time but it really doesn't. All you can do is learn how to live with it."

Gods, I hate that she has to feel like this horrid experience is something she has to live with. I just wish that I could fix it all, so that no one had to face any unnecessary suffering.

But that's probably never going to happen.

Vynn and two others walk out the door.

"Hurry up." He says, not bothering to look at me before he turns back in. "There's no time to lose."

***

So far the procedure is the same as it's always been. Changing into the ugly slip, being strapped down into a chair, having some things injected in me and then some questions asked. Nothing out of the usual.

But, considering that there's at least half an hour to go, I won't be surprised if they have something awful in store.

"Girl," Someone – Kimron, I believe – snaps. "We need you to be relaxed, so untense your muscles."