The White Raven

PART II

Blair 
She leads me through the front door the size of a large Apple tree; it opens by one push as if scenting our presence. "I'm Headmistress Mallory, you may have heard of me, this is my school: And I expect you know the protocol?"

I realise what she was asking. Protocol? Like most half rich children, I was educated but protocol.
    "I'm sorry ma'am, I don't," I try saying meekly, however being innocent was never really my strong point. She frowns the covers it with a stickily sweet smile, "never mind that."

I take a few moments to search the interior there was long mirrors everywhere and flowers dusted with salmon pink resting in vases. Like the outside, The Black Rose is just as detailed with chandeliers and grey velvet curtains draped across the room. Headmistress Mallory leads me up a spiralling staircase, I glance up seeing the roof so far away, and it appears to be at least five floors.

     "My apologies, I don't have time to give you a tour, one of the girls will," the headmistress sighed through her nose.
   "Oh, that's fine," I politely replied. She stopped abruptly by the door her black petticoat swaying; the headmistress claps twice before opening another large set of double doors. I assume it's some form of knocking.

A girl appears at the door with stunning crimson hair almost a maroon colour; I blink, my eyes adjusting to the unusual shade. She smirks down at me savouring my surprise. Her eyes are a smouldering gold like an untamed wildfire.

"Scarlett, show Blair around: and tell her the protocol, would you?" Headmistress Mallory instructors turning to me and placing a key in my gloved hand. "The key to your dorm," I held the cold metal in my hands looking at the thick red ruby in the centre with the same two feathery wings.

"Thank you, Headmistress," she gave me another one of her sickly sweet smiles before turning and walking down a corridor. The girl - coincidentally called Scarlett - watches her disappear with me.
   "Come let me introduce you to the residents of The Black Rose," Scarlett gestures already striding down the hallway. Either forgetting or ignoring what the Headmistress just said, probably the later.
"I'll tell you the rules on the way, Blair right?"

"Yeah, I just came from Brighton," I say rehearsing what I practiced on the long carriage ride here. Scarlett's eyes sweep over me, lighting up with recognition.

"Yes Brighton I've been there before, that was a long time ago though," Scarlett is distracted in her thoughts for a second but is drawn back to reality. "So, a few important things you should know, Blair, there's a curfew, any student up and wondering around after 10:00 pm will be given a detention, or depending what there doing, a suspension."

It sounds fair enough, back in the dukes orphanage no child was allowed to be trespassing or playing during lights out.

As we walk, I see the scenery from a more breathtaking angle. The Black Rose is in the dead centre of a pine forest, it's beautifully depressing. But something has me uneasy about being stranded in the middle of a forest.