The Forbidden Trilogy(21)

***

Near the main offices, a group of kids ran by in gym uniforms. One petite girl fell out of line to throw herself into a hug.

"Lucy!" I laughed and hugged her back just as fiercely.

"Where have you been, Chica? And what the hell happened to your face?"

Even in gym clothes, my best friend could cause a riot with her curvy figure, smooth brown skin, and long, dark Spanish hair.

"Lucy, let's go!" Luke waved at me as he called his sister. They fell behind their class. "Hey, Sam, meet us tonight, okay? We need to talk." His face pinched in a frown.

"Sure thing." I pushed Lucy away. "Go, I'll see you later. I have to get to the office."

"Fine, but I want details. And we really do need to talk."

She ran off, her ponytail swinging down her back. Though tempted to spy on her mind to find out what had both of them so upset, I needed to get to Higgins's office. Besides, I'd see them later, and could fill them in on my adventures. The rules didn't allow us to share the details of our assignments with anyone, not even other paranormals. But Luke, Lucy and I had been best friends since we could remember, and we found ways to communicate without technically breaking those rules—like a secret language I'd created several years ago.

I walked on, my mind drifting. Oh, Tommy. How I wished I could have told him the truth, told him everything about my life.

What would Tommy have said if he'd known who I really was? It made me sad to think about.

I shook off my melancholy and entered the headmaster's office.

He didn't stand, or even look up at me, when his secretary ushered me into his office, just stared down at his oh-so-important papers.

She closed the door, and I settled into one of the chairs in front of his desk and reluctantly took off my sunglasses. My face would further condemn my actions. After a moment, he looked up.

"Ah, Sam, you look wretched. How are you feeling?"

Not the opening I had expected. "Bit of a headache. I'll be okay."

He already had the oral briefing, but I followed standard procedure. I'd been given time before the drugs to complete my written report on the plane, and I placed that on his desk

He flipped through it, then shuffled the papers that had consumed his attention a moment ago and placed them neatly in his filing drawer.

I fidgeted with the zipper on my book bag. I wanted to ask about the art contest, and the interview, but I didn't dare jump the gun after involving the Feds in my assignment and threatening a client.

"You know that stunt you pulled could have gotten this entire organization in trouble," he said.

"I know. And I wish I could say I'm sorry, but you don't know what he was thinking, what Beaumont was going to do to that girl—and other girls. Honestly, this is the biggest creep I've ever met. I had to make sure he didn't get away."

"You've always been one of our best, never causing problems. This is your first mistake, so I'm going to let it slide. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime freebie. Any more trouble and I won't be so nice."

"I know." My whole body relaxed, releasing the tension I hadn't been aware I carried.

"Good. Well, I have some exciting news for you."

Oh?

"You've been accepted into Sarah Lawrence College." He pulled out an official-looking letter and handed it to me.

"Oh my God, really? But how? I haven't even had the interview yet?"

"I called in a favor. I wasn't sure if you'd be back in time and I didn't want you to miss out on this chance at your dreams. Based on the portfolio you sent in, a nudge from me and a glowing evaluation from Mr. Krevner, they agreed to let you in without the required interview."

I stared down at the fancy parchment paper, unable to fully digest the news. Dear Sam Smith, It is our pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted to the undergraduate visual art program at Sarah Lawrence College....

"Smith? That was the best you could do?" I laughed, clutching the letter that represented my entire future.

"It's a good name. It's common and doesn't draw attention to you, all the things you want when you finally enter that life."

"It's fine, I'll take it. Thank you, Headmaster Higgins."

"You're welcome, Sam. You deserve it. You've been one of our best and brightest students. We'll be sad to see you go. That reminds me," he pulled out another file, "this job just came in, and I think you'd be perfect for it."

He handed me the brief. I flipped through it: two kids with para-powers had been beaten and nearly killed at a prep school in New York. I needed to infiltrate the school and see if any other paranormals attended. I also needed to track down the perpetrators. Not so bad. At least I'd be in New York and helping kids like me—but, wait. Oh God. I so do not want this job.