She snatched my hand from my side and squeezed. I gasped with pain. “What are you and Master Vine plotting?”

She twisted her wrist and I heard my own pop. I fell to my knees. Oh no. Oh no, no, no!

“Speak!”

“Nothing,” I gritted.

“Tell me.”

“Nothing!”

“If you tell me now, you won’t be punished.”

I scrambled for the right answer. I had to think—think! “There’s nothing to tell.”

She pushed me away.

I caught myself on my sore wrist.

“Why did you leave your room?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Liar.”

“It’s true. I was up late last night. I couldn’t sleep. I went to the kitchen to find my maid.”

She sat back, resting one thick arm along the solid wood of my desk chair. She shifted one heavy leg as she eyed me.

Remember, she kicks like a donkey.

Quickly, I slid out of range of her black boot. I dared to glance at her face. Surprise—it was not contorted with anger, but stiff with calculation. She truly believed I’d conspired with the new kid.

“Did someone warn you to volunteer for the tutoring position?” she asked.

“I’m sorry?”

“Did one of the other Teachers,” she sneered the word Teachers, as if the other Teachers were not Teachers at all, merely imposters, “tell you to volunteer to tutor Master Vine? Did Teacher Rowan get to you?”

“No, no one.”

“Then why did you volunteer?”

“I—didn’t mean to,” I was confused by her line of questioning. What was she getting at?

Her nose quirked. “Look at me.”

I did.

“Have you had any private conversations with Master Vine? Any at all.”

“No.”

“What about conversations with those who’ve spoken directly to Master Vine.”

I thought about my conversation with Jetson. “I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think so?”

I gulped. “I spoke with Jetson this morning and we talked about him a little.”

“What was said? Speak up, girl!”

“Jetson asked what I thought of Master Vine. He said Master Vine doesn’t fit in here.”

She squinted at me. “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing about Director Kumar?”

I shook my head. What would Jetson have to tell me about the Director? “Nothing at all, except what I’ve already told you.”

“Fine. If Master Vine does talk to you, remember what he says and report it to me as soon as possible, is that understood?”

I hesitated.

“Arika!”

“Yes, Teacher. I understand,” I said.

“Good.”

“Teacher?”

She raised a brow, and I hesitated, not wanting to raise her ire. Only, I needed to understand—if only to avoid more trouble. I wet my lips.

“Do you have something to say, Arika? If you do, say it.”

I cleared my throat. “Forgive me, but I want to understand.”

“Understand what?”