With all the presents handed out, they started cleaning up from their party.
It was then that Sister Cross entered the room. She had a kind smile on. “Eva, might I have a minute of your time?” Her happy, melodious voice almost sang out.
Despite her facade of peace and happiness, her muscles were tense. Eva could tell.
Eva sighed, making sure her sigh was very apparent to all her friends, and excused herself.
Sister Cross led Eva to another study room. Whatever the fancy effect of this one was, Eva couldn’t tell.
“I see you’ve kept those hands,” Sister Cross said after she looked Eva up and down. The song-like tone was completely absent in her voice. “They’re corrupting you. I can see it.”
Eva doubted it was the hands corrupting her; Devon’s experiments would be the leading cause of any ‘corruption.’
“If you’d like me to remove them, I’d be happy to burn them off of you. It wouldn’t even be painful.”
“Sister Cross, I know you delight in ruining children’s Christmases, but I
Sister Cross leaned in close, all but growling as she said, “you’re a murderess who consorts with demons. You should consider salvation before it becomes necessary to strike you down.”
“I thought we were past holding Weilks’ death against me. You agreed he needed to be put down.”
“The three bloodstones strapped to your back–you got one from Weilks and one from a flesh golem. Where did you get the other?”
If Eva had any doubt her eyes were aglow, it was quashed with that statement. “A museum,” Eva said honestly. “I didn’t kill anyone for them. Surely you don’t count the flesh golem?”
“Sister Prince died last June. She was attempting to apprehend
Eva took a deep breath. She prepared her magic, channeling it into herself. “I didn’t kill your nun.”
“I didn’t think you did. Sister Prince’s cross was found amid a pile of ashes belonging to a human. I’ve seen you cast fire magic, you’re abysmal.”
“Oh.” Eva sighed, allowing some of her magic to dissipate. She couldn’t be that bad, could she? For a first year at least? Max was worse at water magic than she was at fire, after all. Most of the students weren’t much better than she was.
“You were there. Who killed her?”
It was Arachne, unless she still had scrapes of life left when her master incinerated her. She didn’t want to give the nun more reasons to go after Arachne. And Devon was still missing. Perfect to play a scapegoat.
“A diabolist by the name of Harley Warren.”
“He’s the one who summoned the demon you were with?”
“Yes.”
“We’ve been watching that demon. It hardly moves unless you are around.”
“I told her not to. She is being punished. I’d think you would appreciate that.”
Sister Cross merely hummed.
“You’re still watching me?” Eva asked after a moment.
“Always. One toe out of line…” Sister Cross held up a single finger.
Eva didn’t bother to point out that she didn’t have any toes despite Arachne being completely ready to chop off her own legs. The fake toes she currently wore were sufficient for walking, but she couldn’t run. Not without falling or expending a lot of blood to make herself toes she could control.
Eva wanted to take Arachne’s legs. She truly did. She almost went ahead with it more than once. The only thing still holding her back was not wanting to give Arachne the satisfaction. The spider-demon was being punished.
That, and the nun in front of her. Sister Cross seemed to be able to see through her clothes. Not that Eva could really complain about being able to see through things. She was far more acquainted with the intimacies of everyone’s biology than she ever wanted to be.
Sister Cross’ sigh brought Eva out of her thoughts. “Shal is coming back.”
“Good for her.”
“Despite my urgings, she doesn’t want to change roommates.” Another sigh escaped Sister Cross’ lips. “She yelled at me.”
“Good for her,” Eva said with a smile.
A hand reached out and gripped the sides of Eva’s jaw. “I swear, Eva. One toe out of line and I will kill you. You hurt Shal in the slightest–”
“Why would I save her if I wanted to turn around and hurt her,” Eva said through Sister Cross’s hand.
The nun released Eva with a light shove. She turned her back to Eva, not that such a thing mattered to her vision. “I expect you to catch her up in all her classwork. If you are anything but an exemplary friend, I’ll know.”
“I would do that without your orders. I’m sure Juliana will be willing to help with things I can’t.”
Sister Cross gave Eva an evil eye. She all but stormed out of the room.
The party seemed over, at least from outside the room. Only Juliana and Irene were inside. They looked like they were putting tables and chairs back in their spots.
Juliana immediately turned to Eva as she walked in. “What was that about?”
