Smoke and Mist (The Academy Book 1) by Kate Hall

Author:Kate Hall [Hall, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lost Window Publishing
Published: 2019-05-07T05:00:00+00:00

ST. MERLIN’S PAYS TOP DOLLAR FOR THEIR EVENTS, so instead of being held in the gym like a normal school, the fall formal is at the St. Louis City Museum, an industrial-aged warehouse transformed into an attraction. The school must have had the option to book a single floor, but instead, the entire building is set up for the dance.

Their’s isn’t the first limo to pull around to the main entrance, and a line of expensive cars and limousines waits behind them, as well. An employee of the museum opens the door for them, helping those wearing dresses to step out of the vehicle without losing their modesty.

“I feel like a celebrity,” Sarah whispers to Alex.

A photographer waits just inside, snapping pictures of them individually and then as a group before they can continue forward. It’s all a rush of being pushed from person to person until a pair of attendants open the secondary doors.

Sarah is breathless. Seeing the finery and elegance of everyone at St. Merlin’s has been overwhelming, and she expects the same from this building. She’s picturing gold crown molding and filigree, and perhaps a fountain of champagne and marble floors. Instead, the interior is a mesh of found things, tiles from different places lining the floors, hand-painted railings lining the bannister up the mosaic staircase. Nothing matches, and Sarah adores it.

“Welcome to the St. Louis City Museum,” a woman in an elegant black gown tells them. “We don’t provide maps, and we encourage you to get lost. I’d also like to let you know that you have full access to the world aquarium during your visit this evening.”

Sarah grins, taking Alex’s hand in hers with excitement. When she realizes what she’s done, she looks to him, unsure, but he simply tightens his hand around hers with a small smile.

“We’re gonna go find the food,” Kendall says, craning her neck around David to address the group.

The two make their way up the staircase, Kendall’s gown trailing behind her like Cinderella.

That leaves Gabby, Kelly, Sarah, and Alex standing next to the stairs, unsure of where to go from here.

After a moment of silence, Gabby says, “I’m thinking ball pit.”

Sarah is confused but curious. Gabby is the only one in their group who’s been here before, so everyone follows her through the building and outside, where a crisp wind greets them. Sure enough, there’s a giant ball pit surrounded by nets and adult-sized treehouses to climb through. Gabby and Alex jump right in, and Sarah and Kelly look at each other conspiratorially before climbing precariously up the ropes to a ledge, where they have a better vantage point. Sarah is impressed at Kelly’s skill in climbing a rope ladder in heels.

There’s a tense moment of silence as they all glare at each other, now enemies in the most childish battle ever. Sarah slowly rolls a ball into her hand from her crouch, aiming it right at Alex. When she releases it, it hits him square in the chest.

The war

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