Just like everything else in this blasted town, the mansion is not far away. The car turns into the long driveway and pulls into the circular part that stops in front. This place is gorgeous and each time, I can’t help but wonder why the council doesn’t live here. It’s huge and the stoned, steep roofed mansion sparkles in the sun. Christina says this place gives her the creeps, but she’s crazy.
At least the guy did get me here and I didn’t wind up in chunks on the side of the road. I make my way up the front stairs and the door opens. A woman steps out and nods. Her eyes flicker to the young man still at the car. “Carl, are you going to pull that in the garage?”
“Yeah.” He glares at the lady. “Just making sure she got in okay and didn’t run off.”
She ignores him and turns back in the house. “The elders are waiting for you.”
Okay, this is weird. I’ve never been called before them before and am not sure what to expect. I’ve only ever seen them in the rare social occasion I’m allowed to go to. I walk down the halls and try to take in all my surroundings, but the woman is walking too fast to take in my surroundings.
Once we get to the door, she opens it and my heart seems to stop in my chest. What the hell am I doing here? I should leave.
“Are you coming?” Her forehead is wrinkled, and she places a hand on her hip.
I guess patience isn’t her virtue. I walk through the door because I’m in too deep at this point. The room is huge and there are steps leading up to a platform where there is a long desk with several huge seats behind it. Each one is filled by an elder of the council.
The one on the far left is the younger couple of the two. The woman has chestnut hair and still has a youthful look to her. She’s shifts and tilts her head to the side examining me, causing her beige dress to wrinkle around the bodice.
Her husband is on the end, running his fingers through the back of his salt and pepper hair. He is sitting stiff and his dark black suit seems to be like a second skin.
The elder woman is sitting next to the younger one. Her hair is gray with some black strands still through it. Her dark eyes glare down at me and a shiver runs down my spine.
“I take it you’re Beth.” The man next to her has solid white hair and wears a white buttoned-down shirt that contrasts against her black dress.
Not sure what else to say, I take a deep breath. “Yes, I am.”
The eldest lady raises an eyebrow and lifts her hand. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
What the hell? “Uh… what?”
“Oh, dear.” The younger lady whispers to her husband. “Is she dense too?”
Who do they think they are? Do they threaten everyone like this? I bite my tongue preventing the words I want to say from leaving my mouth. It would just get me in hot water. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“How could you not know?” The eldest lady scoffs and pulls some papers out of a folder. “Did you not think we’d be aware?”
Wait! The teacher said I had another chance. “But I have once more chance.”
A sigh leaves the elder man. “Yes, you do. A third time is rare, but it’s already been offered.”
“What my husband is trying to say,” the eldest woman shakes her head, “is you better do better, or you’ll be reassigned. You have the rest of the day to go home and get your thoughts together and you will take the test tomorrow.”
Reassigned? What does that mean? I didn’t even know that is an option. “What does that entail exactly?”
The younger man chuckles. “You don’t want to know, little girl.”
My heart hammers in my chest. I guess they aren’t meaning I’ll become a butler. “Okay, I’ll do better. Promise.”
“Good. Make sure you do.” The lady scowls at me and holds up a picture of Christina and me. “We’re watching you.” Then she rips it into.
The door in the back of the room opens and the lady from earlier walks in. “I’m here to take you back out front. Your parents are here, waiting for you.”
My eyes stay on the picture for a minute before stumbling out of the room. Holy shit, have they been the ones leaving threatening notes the entire time? If that isn’t a blatant admittance, I’m not sure what is. Right before walking out, I turn back, and all four eyes bore into me. Holy shit, I have to get out of here.
When we get back to the front hall, Mom and Dad are there, waiting on me. They wrap me into a warm hug.
Mom pulls back and places her hands on my cheeks. “Oh, honey. They wouldn’t let us in there. I’m so sorry, but everything is going to be okay.”
Tears threaten to enter my eyes, but I don’t want to say too much. I can’t put them at risk, too. I need to play it safe. “I don’t know. I’m still struggling, and they know.”
“You’ll get it.” Dad takes a step back and takes a hand, squeezing it. “When I was your age, I struggled too. I messed up my tests and had to retake them as well. It just clicked all of a sudden. I don’t know how or why. I’m sure it’ll
