Chapter 11- A New Beginning
I came to in the headmaster's office, with the entire Ravenwood faculty staring down at me. They whispered harshly amongst each other, discussing some important matter. "But she's just a child!" Moolinda gasped. I supposed the important matter was me.
I sat up slowly, and the room went quiet. Time seemed to stand still for a few minutes, as my teachers exchanged glances and cryptic stares. Finally, Ambrose cleared his throat. "Miss Nightwhisper. We have gathered here to decide upon your punishment. You are being questioned upon the following circumstances: intentionally freezing the Commons area, affiliating with Malistaire Drake, and crimes again Wizard City. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I…" I was in shock. What was I supposed to say? "I didn't!" I almost screamed the words, begging that they would understand that it wasn't true, or rather, that they would believe that it wasn't true.
"Explain yourself." Ambrose said coldly, scowling down at me. I took a deep breath.
"When Dylan came…" I sighed. "When Dylan came, I knew he was from Earth too. I got really anxious, and for whatever reason the Commons… They just froze… I started to, too. I didn't know why then, and I still don't know why. It just happened." Professor Greyrose's eyes widened, but she said nothing. Ambrose nodded for me to continue.
"So… After you yelled at me, headmaster… I was really confused, so I went to the Spiral door, and I just went through," I said, leaving out the part about my ice key. "And I woke up in a cell. I broke out, and walked around for a while, trying to find a way out. I didn't know where I was. And then… I found a room. And Malistaire was there. And he said something…" my voice cracked. "And then I was here."
"What did Malistaire say to you Grace?" Ambrose said, a severe look on his face.
"He said…" I gulped. "He said he was my father. But I don't believe it."
A troubled look crossed Ambrose's face, and he looked away for a moment. "I'm afraid that he was not lying, Grace. You are the daughter of Malistaire and Sylvia Drake."
"Oh." I said in a small voice. I felt like a deflated balloon. It was all so wrong. I was supposed to be happy when I found my parents, I had been waiting my whole life for this. But it turned out to be a bitter sweet dream, a reality that I had tried to wish away. I slouched down, hardly daring to look up at Ambrose. My shame was apparent.
"Go." Ambrose said with a small sigh. "You may continue to attend Ravenwood Academy." I let out a breath that I hadn't realized I was holding in. I walked slowly towards the door. "Grace…" he called out, one last time. I turned to face the headmaster. "Remember, we're watching you."