were.
“Very well, if you’ve no questions, I’ll take back your copy of the code. You must sign here”—he pushed another piece of paper across the desk toward me—“to acknowledge that you’ve read it and agree to abide by it. A pact, if you will.”
I took the paper and glanced down at it, my eyes quickly scanning the words.
I, Violet Ashton McKenna, do hereby vow that I have read the Code of Paranormal Activity, herewith referred to as the COPA. My signature certifies that I fully understand the COPA and agree to abide by it at all times, at all costs. I also acknowledge that if I fail to abide by the COPA, I may be duly expelled from Winterhaven. Signed in the presence of Dr. Augustus Blackwell, Headmaster of the Winterhaven School, on this third day of October, in the village of Tarrytown, New York.
Beneath it was a blank line for my signature. Dr. Blackwell handed me a pen, and with shaking hands, I scrawled my name.
There, it was done. I stared at my signature, still a little stunned by the absurdity of the situation.
Dr. Blackwell retrieved the page and folded it in thirds before sealing it with an old-fashioned wax seal. “And into the fire it goes,” he said, taking the folded paper along with my copy of the code. He tossed them both into the flames behind him. “Secrecy is a prized thing here at Winterhaven, and we leave no written evidence of that which we wish to keep private. The contract is symbolic—a gentleman’s agreement, if you will.”
I nodded, watching as the flames began to lap at the pages, curling the edges till they at last burst into flames. A full minute later they scattered to the grate below in charred bits.
“You must understand how important strict adherence to the code is to this school’s security, to its very integrity,” he said, swiveling back to face me.
“Yes, sir,” I said, swallowing hard. “I understand.”
“Very well.” He drummed his fingers against his desk, watching me. “Some students choose to learn to block their thoughts, if need be, for privacy’s sake. If you would like to learn, we can assign you a coach.”
“Sure,” I said with a nod. It seemed like everyone else already knew how to do it, so I figured I should learn too. Particularly since Aidan could read minds, and I definitely didn’t want him knowing my thoughts when I was with him.
“I’ll have Mrs. Girard make the arrangements. I suppose our business here is done, then.” He rose from his chair and reached across the desk to shake my hand. “But do not hesitate to return, if any questions arise that Mrs. Girard cannot answer to your satisfaction.”
“Thanks.” Just as before, his hand was cold as ice.
“Can you find your way back to the dormitory?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, though in reality, I had no clue how to get back.
“Hmmm, perhaps I should send for someone to see you back safely,” he said with a chuckle, reaching for the telephone that sat on his desk.
“I can find it, really,” I said. How hard could it possibly be? Down a hall, up some stairs . . .
He released the phone with a shrug. “If you’re sure, then. I might remind you that you are to be in your bed by eleven.” His silver eyes were twinkling again. “Good night, my dear. And good luck.” I could still hear him laughing softly as I closed the door and set off.
A quarter hour later, I was ready to admit that I was totally and hopelessly lost. I’d gone down the same hall—the one with the headmasters’ portraits—at least three times, and up the same staircase twice. I was beginning to panic when Ispied a door I hadn’t remembered seeing before.
I hurried over, hoping I’d finally found a means of escape. It led outside; I could see the moon in the square panes of glass at the top. For a minute or so I stared at the door, considering my options. I might get just as lost outside, but at least I wouldn’t be wandering these same halls.
Please don’t let it be locked,
I
“Very well, if you’ve no questions, I’ll take back your copy of the code. You must sign here”—he pushed another piece of paper across the desk toward me—“to acknowledge that you’ve read it and agree to abide by it. A pact, if you will.”
I took the paper and glanced down at it, my eyes quickly scanning the words.
I, Violet Ashton McKenna, do hereby vow that I have read the Code of Paranormal Activity, herewith referred to as the COPA. My signature certifies that I fully understand the COPA and agree to abide by it at all times, at all costs. I also acknowledge that if I fail to abide by the COPA, I may be duly expelled from Winterhaven. Signed in the presence of Dr. Augustus Blackwell, Headmaster of the Winterhaven School, on this third day of October, in the village of Tarrytown, New York.
Beneath it was a blank line for my signature. Dr. Blackwell handed me a pen, and with shaking hands, I scrawled my name.
There, it was done. I stared at my signature, still a little stunned by the absurdity of the situation.
Dr. Blackwell retrieved the page and folded it in thirds before sealing it with an old-fashioned wax seal. “And into the fire it goes,” he said, taking the folded paper along with my copy of the code. He tossed them both into the flames behind him. “Secrecy is a prized thing here at Winterhaven, and we leave no written evidence of that which we wish to keep private. The contract is symbolic—a gentleman’s agreement, if you will.”
I nodded, watching as the flames began to lap at the pages, curling the edges till they at last burst into flames. A full minute later they scattered to the grate below in charred bits.
“You must understand how important strict adherence to the code is to this school’s security, to its very integrity,” he said, swiveling back to face me.
“Yes, sir,” I said, swallowing hard. “I understand.”
“Very well.” He drummed his fingers against his desk, watching me. “Some students choose to learn to block their thoughts, if need be, for privacy’s sake. If you would like to learn, we can assign you a coach.”
“Sure,” I said with a nod. It seemed like everyone else already knew how to do it, so I figured I should learn too. Particularly since Aidan could read minds, and I definitely didn’t want him knowing my thoughts when I was with him.
“I’ll have Mrs. Girard make the arrangements. I suppose our business here is done, then.” He rose from his chair and reached across the desk to shake my hand. “But do not hesitate to return, if any questions arise that Mrs. Girard cannot answer to your satisfaction.”
“Thanks.” Just as before, his hand was cold as ice.
“Can you find your way back to the dormitory?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said, though in reality, I had no clue how to get back.
“Hmmm, perhaps I should send for someone to see you back safely,” he said with a chuckle, reaching for the telephone that sat on his desk.
“I can find it, really,” I said. How hard could it possibly be? Down a hall, up some stairs . . .
He released the phone with a shrug. “If you’re sure, then. I might remind you that you are to be in your bed by eleven.” His silver eyes were twinkling again. “Good night, my dear. And good luck.” I could still hear him laughing softly as I closed the door and set off.
A quarter hour later, I was ready to admit that I was totally and hopelessly lost. I’d gone down the same hall—the one with the headmasters’ portraits—at least three times, and up the same staircase twice. I was beginning to panic when Ispied a door I hadn’t remembered seeing before.
I hurried over, hoping I’d finally found a means of escape. It led outside; I could see the moon in the square panes of glass at the top. For a minute or so I stared at the door, considering my options. I might get just as lost outside, but at least I wouldn’t be wandering these same halls.
Please don’t let it be locked,
I
Similar Books
