Chapter 19

Violet

I stood patiently, waiting for my turn at the same information desk where Nate had brought me on my first day at the academy.

Today was my first day off—and I was planning to make good use of it.

Adelaide was still a question I did not have all the answers to, and I had to know more about her.

Who was she, what was she doing with those witches—and what was her connection to Mom?

“Next!” The same woman from last time barked out, her face uninterested.

“Yes, hi,” I stepped forward, placing my hands on the desk. I offered her a polite smile, one she didn’t return.

“How can I help you?” she said, her voice flat.

“This question might come off as really nosy—”

“Keep it rolling,” the woman waved her hand impatiently. “I don’t have all day. There are people waiting.”

I scoffed, caught off guard by her rudeness. “My mom used to go to this school. Her name was Claire Hastings. She had this friend, Adelaide—and I was wondering if you have some information on her, or perhaps still have a f