Shady

She considered him for a moment. Something felt very wrong in her gut. But she didn’t have the first idea what it was. Or why. You’re being paranoid. Stop being ...

She blinked at him. He… looked different. Eerily familiar. That was weird. “…okay.”

“…okay.” She shrugged, deciding not to poke it. What personal reasons? Had Septimus put him here along with everyone else he was supposed to love and protect? Was their father ...

“Why’s that?”

“…oh?”

She nodded in agreement.

“Then I’ve got to deal with Brogan,” she grumbled. “I wish the gods would just go back to sleep.”

She groaned and rubbed her face, talking into her hands. “Well I want there… to… I don’t know what I want.” She uncovered her face with a sigh. “But I ...

“Of course I remember,” she said dryly. She sighed again. “Gods… I want to go home. This… feels dangerous. I don’t like it at all.”

She sighed. “And I doubt either would be honest.”

“Right.” She nodded, considering. “…is there any way to find out what keys they both have? I need to know where I’m safe from them, for when you’re not around.”

She started down the hall towards the infirmary. “He stays in the library mostly, right? And Michael doesn't go there?” So basically nowhere was safe.

She nodded. That was good. That she didn’t have to pretend to like Septimus around his brother.

She sighed again. “Alright. I guess I’ll try to just avoid him and Michael both… no loss, I suppose.” She glanced at him. “…no offense. I know he’s your brother ...

She let out a little sigh. “…ideas as to what?”