The Network ( Book One of the Grounders Series )

18

Dedicated to SarahPerlmutter

"Welcome to my humble abode. My attendants, Shamus and Daloth with escort you to the dormitory," Aroculan says.

The two guards step forward, guiding us toward the wooden doors on the other side of the foyer. On the other side of the door is a corridor going right and left. Shamus and Daloth take us right while Aroculan disappears left.

The walls of the hall are paneled with wood. Sconces holding lit torches line the at regular intervals. Otherwise the walls are empty aside from the occasional door.

I know we are in jeopardy being here but I can't quite figure out why I do. Aroculan probably just closes the door to keep the minions out or something, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Being overly cautious can never hurt.

The image flashed through my head so fast I couldn't comprehend the details. It was a blurry flash of red and with a black smudge across the middle. It disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving behind an intense ache inside my skull.

I wince, squeeze my eyes shut and press my fingers to my temples, desperate to alleviate the pain.

It was gone as soon as Cicada put her hand on my shoulder. "Al, are you okay?"

"Yeah," I say. I couldn't explain what happened even if I wanted to, which I don't.

The corridor need with a large set of wooden doors. Shamus and Dolath push them open bodily. They are a lot heavier than they seem. I'm not sure what to think of that.

The dormitory is grand, floored with white marble, veined with browns, beiges, and grays. The room is shaped like a rectangle, with bunkbeds lining the walls. The bed skeletons are made from light brown wood, smoothed into squared planks and poles. The walls are darker wood, paneled like brickwork. There is a fireplace at the far end of the room, surrounded by bricks. There is metal gating in front of the fire.

Up above an elegant chandelier hangs, the gold arms weaving through each other masterfully, like a trees limbs. At the end of each of the arms is a glass candle. I can't tell if it's real glass from here. At this side of the room is a closed door with a open lip under, which probably means it's much lighter that the door we passed through.

"This is where you'll be staying for your stay. The bathroom is through that door," Shamus says, his voice soft which is off putting due to his bulky structure.

"Do you normally have visitors here?" Cicada asks, ever curiously.

Something flashes in Shamus's eyes but it's gone before I can detect it. "Unfortunately no, but it makes Master Aroculan feel less lonely to have a dormitory in his palace. Beside it's turned out to be useful now hasn't it. Freshen up, there are clothes in the bathroom that Aroculan requires of you to wear to dinner. We'll return to escort you to the dining hall in four hours, be ready then. At some point maids will come in to prep you."

Prep us? For what?

Before I can voice my suspicions, the escorts are gone, and the heavy door is shut tight.

"Do you recognize the name, Aroculan?" I ask the others.

Jonah and Joss both say they don't.

"It sounds familiar but I can't put my finger on it," Cicada says.

Oh good, I thought I was crazy.

"This is weird though," Joss says, his Amber eyes glancing at the wood. He rubs his fingers over it. "I've never seen wood in person."