– Never mind, Sally. Persidy is sometimes out of sorts. But Monsieur Darkwood will probably not refuse to show you the academy and generally help you settle within our walls for the first time. I would tell you everything and show you everything myself, but I’m already in a terrible hurry, in fact I’m late. How will you, Monsieur Darkwood, cope with the task entrusted to you?

“It would be an honor, Madame Pelisey,” the brunette responded, slightly bowing his head in agreement.

“Then I have one more request for you, Nirel.” See that your friend behaves decently in my absence.

“Of course, madam,” the student agreed easily.

Although if I were him, I would be careful about making such promises. Yes, he’s crazy – this blond! Like a savage who fell from a branch! Just think, I sat outside the window for a few minutes. Didn't fall apart!

True, I still felt shame. It was somehow inconvenient. But you can understand me: before my eyes, spiders did not turn into people.

Noting that the parent had not left the office, I became worried, trying to look into the secretary’s room:

–Where is my mother?

“She will write to you once a week, Mademoiselle Dragon,” Madame’s voice became enveloping, soothing.

But I was not going to calm down!

“My last name is Evesey,” she said angrily.

“Not here, Salaman,” the woman objected sternly. – In the Academy of Midnighters you are registered as Dragon – on your father’s side.

Shaking my head to get rid of the question that immediately arose in my thoughts about the second parent, whom I had never seen, I returned to the main topic. I tried not to look at the unwitting witness of our conversation. My voice was firm and expressed determination:

“Madame Pelisey, I don’t want to stay here.” And what should I do at the academy?

The director of the school smiled softly. Her gaze showed condescension, as if she knew in advance that my reaction would be exactly like this.

“In my academy you will learn to live with the one who sits inside you, my dear.” In each of those born at midnight lives the Dark Side, the so-called gift of the ancestors. Your mother said that your abilities have not yet manifested themselves, so within the walls of this educational institution you will have to find them and curb them.

“I don’t have any gift,” I said dryly, without even lying.

There were unusual abilities, yes, but there was no gift.

– And we still have to find out, Salaman. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. This is what happens when you are in a hurry,” the woman realized with a smile. – Madame Noshli Pelisay. Welcome to the Midnighter Academy.

My guide and I walked out of the main building of the academy, under the light of the lanterns, together with madam. During my descent to the first floor, I learned that my things would be brought directly to the room allocated to me. But not mom. My parent chose not to see me before leaving, which was incredibly offensive. But she sent a note through Madame Pelisey.

However, I didn’t read anything new in it. Aletra Evesey promised to write to me once a week and asked me not to be stubborn, emphasizing that my presence at this academy was the best decision for both of us. This way she wouldn’t worry about me, because I was now under reliable protection.

But she didn’t take into account that I’m not a soulless robot either. Where should I put my excitement? How to get rid of emerging fears?

Having stood on the porch of the academy to wait for Madame Pelisey to disappear behind the gate, I confidently headed towards it, completely ignoring both the gargoyle that was not sparing my nerves and the student assigned to me.

No matter what mom says, we will be safer together. I'll look after her, and she'll look after me. This plan worked perfectly for eighteen years.

And it’s elementary: who will be on duty while mom is sleeping? When I grew up, we took turns doing this service.

No, I understood perfectly well that she was tired. I didn't like the nomadic life either. At first it seemed interesting: new cities, new people, so much unknown ahead. But the complete lack of consistency is annoying. Everyone wants a home where they can return after long travels and feel relaxed and comfortable.

– Hey, where are you going? – the brunette called out to me as soon as I ran down the steps. – The freshman dormitory is on the other side.

“Go there yourself,” I snapped, simultaneously sticking out my tongue to the once again petrified gargoyle. “I’m not going to stay here just because your madam said so.”

“So they brought you here by force?”

“They brought it,” I stubbornly corrected, walking around the flower beds along the stone-paved path.

– I'm sorry.

I looked at the guy in surprise, but only for a moment. His face actually showed genuine regret.