Behind her, Quinn giggled. Then Visha reached her hand out lazily to purposefully smack another stack of books off the trolley. Quinn laughed as if this was hilarious, then went a step further and carelessly kicked some of the scattered books out of her path. I heard the leather bindings scrape against the stone floor and winced.

“Oh, girls...” Florence's mother exclaimed, wringing her hands together as she looked at the mess of books. “Please don’t do that.”

Visha and Quinn just ignored her and kept going.

Theo trailed behind them with a sheepish expression. He wouldn’t meet my eye as he went past. But he must have seen the stricken look on Professor Shen’s face because as his gaze fell on the scattered books, he paused, then bent down to pick a few of them up. As he handed them to Florence's mother, he glanced quickly at me and shrugged apologetically, as if trying to make amends for the rudeness of his companions.

But I wasn’t about to let him off that easily. I glared at him and said nothing.

Putting his head down, Theo disappeared down the main aisle.

Florence’s mother’s shoulders sagged as she looked down at the remaining books on the floor. Her cheeks were flushed as she bent down and started picking up the volumes.

I crouched down quickly beside her. “Here. Let me help you with that. You’re Florence’s mother, aren’t you?”

She looked up at me, startled. “I’m Jia Shen, yes. Who are you?”

“I’m Medra Pendragon,” I said, smiling and putting out my hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Florence.”

“Ah, yes,” Jia said, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose again, and smiling slowly. “Florence mentioned she’d made your acquaintance.”

“She’s been very kind and helpful. I don’t know how I would have made it through these first days without her, honestly,” I said.

Jia Shen’s smile grew a little. “That’s my Florence.”

“I’m so sorry about the books,” I said, gesturing to the mess. “Are they always like that?”

Her face clouded. “It’s all right. I’m rather used to it.”

I was shocked. “But you shouldn’t be. You’re a Bloodwing librarian. How can they get away with it?”

“Oh, they don’t do it to all of the librarians,” she assured me. “Just the blightborn ones.”

She rose to her feet with a groan and wedged a stack of heavy-looking books back onto the trolley. Then she bent down to pick up one of the books Quinn had viciously kicked. “Oh, dear. This one will have to be tended to.” The spine of the book had split and some pages were sticking out.

“It’s vandalism,” I said hotly. “Not to mention incredibly rude. Those spoiled brats.”

Jia eyed me nervously. “It’s clear you’re new here. Please, don’t bother saying anything on my account.”

“But you deserve to be treated with respect. I don’t understand.”

She shrugged. “Every year some of the students pick a teacher to target. I guess this year it’s my turn.”

I felt a chill go down my spine. “Has it just been students from House Drakharrow? Or are all of the highblood students treating you this way?”

She tilted her head. “Now that you mention it, it does seem to be mostly Drakharrow students.” She sighed. “I wonder what I did to aggravate them.”

I thought I knew.

“I think it’s because of Florence,” I confessed unhappily. “Because she dared to make friends with me, I mean. I tried to warn her...”

Jia held up a hand. “No. If what you say is true...” She looked me up and down. “Florence told me you’re the rider. That you didn’t even want to be here.”

“That’s true,” I said slowly. “I was forced to come here.”

“And forcibly betrothed to Blake Drakharrow, from what I understand.” I nodded and she shook her head. “The highblood customs... Even when I think I’m used to them, they do something that reminds me I may never be.”

“So, you don’t... adore them all? Like Florence seems to?” I said curiously.

Jia looked around, as if not wanting to be overheard. “Florence will learn, in time. Just as I learned. But you need to keep something in mind here, Medra. None of us have a choice. We were born blightborn. Florence tells me you’re new to Sangratha.” She gave me a curious look that reminded me I needed to learn more about this world’s geography. Just how large was Sangratha anyhow? “Well, if that’s true, try to imagine what growing up here is like.” She looked at me carefully. “You don’t question the people who hold all of the power. To do so could be dangerous. For you or for your friends.”

It was a warning, but a gentle one.

I nodded. “I understand.” I bit my lip. “But now Florence is accidentally making enemies of the Drakharrows. I warned her she should stay away from me. Maybe you can talk to her...”

“No,” Jia Shen said quietly. “I draw the line there. My daughter will choose her own friends. And if there are consequences for her choices... Well, that’s how we all learn. I won’t tell her who to associate with.” She reached out a hand and touched my hair gently. “So red.”

I flushed.

“It must be hard, standing out like that all the time,” Jia said thoughtfully. “You’re brave to be here.”

“So is your daughter,” I responded.

She smiled. “I could talk about my daughter’s fine qualities all day. But you didn’t come to the library simply to discuss Florence. What can I help you with?”

I had thought carefully about how to phrase my request. Jia Shen seemed very kind, but I didn’t want to horrify her by telling her my secret the first time we met.

Wise decision, Orcades murmured.

Oh, you’re still there, are you? I replied drily. She’d been quiet all day. And here I thought my problem might have taken care of itself.

Very funny. Those children need to be taken in hand. When I behaved in such a way as a girl, my Nurse didn’t hesitate to whip me.

I cringed. They’re not exactly children. And that might be going too far. Or was it? But I agree. They’re out of line.

Little privileged bastards each and every one, Orcades said primly. If I were back in my own body, I’d happily deal with them all for you.

I grimaced. I could only imagine what she’d do if she were back in her high fae form. I’d been told my mother had once been a powerful general in my grandfather’s army.

Florence’s mother was looking at me expectantly.

“Um, I’m doing some research into a rather unusual topic,” I blurted out. If only she knew just how unusual. “I’m hoping you can help me find some relevant information. Anything to do with curses, spells... Or, um, magic to do with souls.”

“With souls?” Jia Shen looked thoughtful. “Soul magic? You must mean blood magic. We have a great many texts on blood magic here, of course.”

“Does blood magic involve using souls...?”

“Necromancy does, of course. Blood magic can at times. And necromancy and blood magic are very interwoven. Although, bloodmancy is a House Drakharrow specialty, just as necromancy is often considered the purview of House Mortis.” Jia looked at me expectantly. “You might consider consulting Blake Drakharrow on this topic...”

“No,” I said firmly. “Absolutely not.” I shook my head. “Sorry, Librarian Shen. I don’t mean to be rude.”

She seemed amused. “Oh, you’re not being rude. And you may call me Jia. No, I understand. I suppose I just hoped that Mr. Drakharrow was kinder to you than to the average... Well, it doesn’t matter.” She looked at a nearby row. “I can find some materials for you. Enough to get you started. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, the library is sure to have more. You can always come back and find me another day.”

“Wonderful,” I said, feeling relieved. “Thank you so much for your help, Jia.”

“Of course,” she said, pausing as she began to pull the trolley towards the stack. “Though it would help if you gave me a little more detail on what you’re looking for exactly. You mentioned curses. Has someone you know been cursed?”