Perle of Wisdom by Marie Long

Author:Marie Long
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: New Adult Fantasy Academy Romance
Publisher: Chikara Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

After a quick stop at the infirmary to check on Ben, who was already gone, Perle raced back to her dorm. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it, panting. With the headmistress excusing her from evocation class, Perle decided to confine herself in the dorm for the rest of the day.

She had the place to herself, with Anala away at her afternoon flight class. The mouthwatering aroma of Anala’s ratatouille permeated the entire suite. Perle planted herself at the tiny table in the kitchenette and enjoyed a bowl of the warm stew. It wasn’t quite as amazing as her father’s, but it was still delicious, enough for Perle to get seconds. She returned to the table and pored over her botany-turned-rune book. She was starting to notice a pattern. Her parents and Ben saw legible writing about roses on the pages whereas Perle only saw runes. Is this book cognizant of me? What’s the enchantment involved? she wondered.

Perle sighed at the endless pages of runes that stared back at her mockingly. She wished she could read them as well as Ben. Even recognizing a handful of runes would be progress. If I could read this book, then maybe I would be able to understand and control my powers more, and maybe next time I would be able to protect people in danger.

A furious knock suddenly echoed from the front door. Perle jumped. Her bottom was sore, and glancing at the dragon-silhouette-shaped wall clock, she realized almost two hours had passed. Dinner would soon start in the dining hall. Who could be visiting me now?

“Perle? You there?” Ben’s muffled voice was followed by another series of knocks.

Perle deflated, relief spreading through her to know that Ben was okay. She rushed to the door. “Ben?”

“It’s happening again.”

The elation suddenly turned to dread. Another beetle? She hesitated to open the door. “Ugh. Please don’t tell me there’s another—”

“The basement. The sounds are back.”

She remembered the confrontation earlier between Ben and Will about the strange sounds that Ben had heard. “Does anyone else know about this?”

“You’re the only one I’ve told because you’re the only one who’ll believe me. Let me show you.”

She heaved a deep sigh, flaring her nostrils. Then she finally flung open the door.

Ben stood, his jaw rigid. “The cries in the basement are even louder now.”

She pursed her lips. “No tricks, Ben.”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t joke around about something like this.” He made a small head gesture for her to follow him.

Clutching her book under one arm, Perle followed Ben down to the main floor of the dormitory. A buzz of murmurs floated around from the few students who occupied the atrium.

“When did they let you out of the infirmary?” Perle asked as they detoured down a narrow hallway lit dimly by strategically placed wall sconces.

“Eh, less than fifteen minutes after I arrived,” Ben said. “I was told to return to my dorm and rest for the remainder of the day. Thankfully, I had already finished my classes for the day.

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