I took a deep inhale and began reciting mantras in my head:
You will love it here.
You will be amazing at this.
Everything will work out as it should.
People sneered at mantras, but I would defend them to the death. Growing up, I had been painfully shy and had only come into my own at thirteen—after Mom taught me about mantras. After a year of recitation, I’d gained enough confidence to audition for a role in my local theater. In the end, I not only performed in a play, but I scored the starring role. Shortly after that I dabbled in contemporary dance. While I’d quit dancing my senior year, I still loved it, and never would have even started without help from my mantras.
After only a few repetitions, my trusty mantras worked like a charm, and my mood lifted. I inhaled a huge breath and pushed the door open.
Immediately, the pleasant aromas of sage and coffee relaxed me. Walking into the room, my eyes trailed from the floor to the ceiling. Various levels—six of them—climbed skyward and ended in a dome with a lunette so large that it flooded the entire space with sunlight. Every level boasted eight doors. Somewhere up there,mydorm waited for me.
I hitched my backpack higher and spun around, taking in the common area. The walls were dark wood in here too, but the furnishings gave off a cozier, younger vibe. Gray armchairs and side tables that looked like they belonged in a mid-century home littered the space. A massive fireplace dominated the wall across from the stairwell. A few maps were tacked here and there, and what looked like a list of rules was posted at the bottom of the stairs.
To my dismay, no one was relaxing or socializing out here, but I could hear noises from above. People were probably getting settled into their rooms.
I made my way to the staircase and began climbing. Just as Diana had said, there was a bulletin of student names on each floor. My name was on the list tacked to the third-floor banister. I scanned the sheet, taking in the monikers of my closest neighbors:
Wilhelmina Köhler
Evanora Proctor
Alexander Wardwell
Hunter Wardwell
Some rooms were empty, which I was cool with. While I loved going to parties and socializing, at home I preferred the quiet.
As each floor was circular, I turned right, figuring that either way, I’d run into my room. A gold plaque hung against the gleaming wood of the first door. It read, ‘Hunter Wardwell,’ and I kept moving.
The next door didn’t have a plaque, I supposed because it was empty. After that, I found Wilhelmina Köhler’s room and then another empty room. Alex’s dorm was next, followed by yet another unclaimed room.
Then,finally, I ran into mine.
I took in my name on the shining plaque with awe. My fingers brushed the metal, and a thrill ran through me. This was it. Where I’d spend the next year learning and growing. I bit back a squeal and, unable to savor the moment any longer, placed my hands on the handle and turned.
The metal stopped with a resolute click, and I frowned. It was locked.
Well, crap. How am I supposed to get inside?
Diana hadn’t given me a key—or even mentioned one. Maybe they’d been at the bottom of the staircase by the list of rules, and I’d missed them? I ran back downstairs. After a fruitless search, I returned and searched around my bedroom door. Still nothing. Feeling stupid, I knocked on my door. Unsurprisingly, no one answered.
I frowned and clenched my fists. “How the hell do I get in, then?” I said, my voice louder than normal as I kicked the door.
Pain shot up my leg as my toes hit just right, and I squeezed my eyes shut. “Ouch! Shit! Ouch!”
A door down the hall, the one labeled with Alex Wardwell’s name, creaked open, and a boy stepped out. I stilled and sucked in a breath. Alex—if that was in fact who he was—was freaking gorgeous. He was tall and lean with just the right amount of muscle bulging out of his tight t-shirt, and cheekbones that could cut glass. He had gleaming, black hair and wore thick, square-framed glasses which I normally would’ve found nerdy, but they looked hot as hell on him.
And, to my utter embarrassment, he had just caught me ogling him.
I shook myself and put on my most charming smile. “Sorry if I startled you. I didn’t know that anyone was around. I’m having trouble getting into my room. Did you get a key? I think they forgot mine.”
Alex’s beautiful face remained impassive as he came my way. Now that he was closer, I noticed his eyes were bluer than the Caribbean Sea.Holy hell. How am I going to study with a hunk like that hanging around all the time?
He stopped beside me and read the plaque on my door. “Odette Dane? As in the daughter of Lauren and Joseph Dane?”
“That’s me!” I chirped and did my best not to twirl my hair. Spies in training did not twirl their hair.
