She clearly knows him. I shrug as casually as I can in this tension-filled room. “I can’t be sure, but my guess is that he wanted to be the first person to figure out the new girl.”

Blackwood glances at Conner, but her expression reveals nothing of what she might be thinking.

Conner levels his gaze at me. “Did Ashai tell you which way to go?”

The image of Stefano’s body lying on the cold hallway floor flashes through my thoughts. What’s Conner fishing for with a question like that? “Like I said, we were both in a rush to get to our rooms when we got inside. We didn’t really talk.”

By the way Conner looks at me, it’s clear he knows I’ve evaded the question. I also know that he’s not going to let it go unless I turn the tables on them.

I shift the conversation back to Blackwood. “The bigger question no one seems to be asking is why a student died here at all. Because based on what you told me the day I arrived, this isn’t the first death. I know you’ll find me innocent. I have no doubt about that. And whenever you clear my name, I want you to get in touch with my dad. I’m not staying in some remote castle where people attack and kill each other.” I hadn’t realized how badly I’d wanted to say that until it just came tumbling out.

Conner looks at Blackwood. Her hard gaze doesn’t waver. “That’s not for you to decide,” she says.

My voice rises. “Like hell it’s not—”

“No.” Her tone is commanding. “Your family, just like every other, signed a waiver when you were admitted giving the Academy final say in what happens to you while you’re here. I will decide who is guilty. Just as I will decide how much freedom you will have during this investigation. And I most certainly will decide when you can leave. So if I were you, I would stop before I also decide you’re being disrespectful and give you a night in the dungeon to sober up.”

I swallow. The reality that I’m trapped here at Blackwood’s discretion with deadly secret society kids and no way out makes it hard to breathe.

Blackwood holds me in her stern glare. “You may return to your schedule, November. But this conversation is far from over. Also, you’ll have to get by without Layla taking you to your classes for the time being.”

I freeze, instantly worried about Layla and whatever Blackwood is planning. I want to ask, but I’m positive I won’t get an answer.

“And congratulations,” Blackwood continues. “You’re the first student in modern history to accumulate three marks in their first week. Stay tuned for your punishment.”