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Her weekly visits to the sooties and other extracurricular excursions had given her arht to have She’d had to let out the seams on most of her sleeves Thus far, no one had noticed She was certain to get a lecture on her diet if Sister Mattie did Made ladies were not supposed to become portly

Sophronia attained the balcony and padded to the door Taking out her ear trues

"… there

"I’m afraid not She is not my queen, even were I hive bound, whot The words of a rove hold little weight It’s too bad you gave Lady Linette a reason to send you down You pushed her too far with that prototype business, and then poor testing itimate excuse that can be justified to the trustees, and your parents"

"But I’ve given you years of my blood!"

Monique is Professor Braithwope’s drone, Sophronia realized Somehow she wasn’t surprised He would be a perfect advocate It was a little creepy that he fed on a student But then again, the very idea of his into anyone’s neck was creepy

"Nothing I can do about it, whot You should have stayed in everyone’s good graces until this Giffard nonsense passed, as I instructed I will have a better standing with all hives after Now, you ether ends the moment we land in London"

I wonder if Professor Braithwope is the reason we’re called to town, Sophronia thought It would make perfect sense He is the only teacher who can’t travel there on his own The whole school has to go with him He is, after all, tethered to the airship

Professor Braithwope’s tone became almost kindly "You are more connected to her than I at this point, whot After all, I did not authorize the redistribution of the prototype; you undertook that at her private request"

"You thwarted me and them in that matter," said Monique "They aren’t happy with either of us"

Sophronia rubbed at her forehead, trying to s tumble smoothly Last autumn, when Monique tried to steal the prototype, Sophronia had thought she orking for the govern for a vampire hive instead If they wanted the prototype valve then, did they still want it? Goodness, I wish Vieve would tell ob was for Is it still all about co more sinister?

"Hence the reason I do this test with Giffard," said Professor Braithwope

Well, that cinches it Professor Braithwope needs to ible; that’s why the school is going to London

The varaces?"

Monique said nothing Sophronia wished she could see their faces Eavesdropping was difficult without a

Finally Monique er she already has a plan, thought Sophronia

"I wager you already have a plan," said Professor Braithwope

"And you’re hungry enough to letyou about it"

Sophronia realized, for the first tiowns She also liked silk shawls and ribbon chokers How could I have not realized it was to disguise feeding bites? I’ to have to pay better attention to that part of fashion in the future

"Oh, no, er care," said the vampire, sharper than Sophronia had ever heard him speak to a student "Now, come here"

Sophronia prepared to shi silence, Monique spoke, her voice weaker than before "Since you are no longer looking after ether"

Professor Braithwope said, "Of course, wouldn’t want to impose"

"You have… alternative options?" Monique sounded jealous

Sophronia began toto think of all forty-five students and which onesthe mark of Professor Braithwope’s favor

The va herself There would be quite an advantage to having a va Also, the idea made her squea her time at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s that it didn’t make her more than squeamish

"Well, Professor, will you be able to attend my ball?"

"I’m afraid not That’s ithin Lord Akeldama’s territory I’ll stay with the ship around Hyde Park, neutral ground, whot"

"Shame," said Monique

"I am certain you will catch London afire with your charallantly Professor Braithwope never forgot his ht lessons on thery footsteps headed in Sophronia’s direction She scrabbled backward, sacrificing silence for speed She grabbed her rope at the edge of the balcony and shi it behind her

The door below burst open, and both Professor Braithwope and Monique walked out

"I heard solanced around but did not look up

But Professor Braithwope did, just as Sophronia tu of the balcony above Their eyes met for one startled instant

The va conspiratorially "Ah, perhaps you are right Simply the wind, whot?"

There was no wind

Monique had her own concerns and let the s thatlessons to use, but only in the service of her own ends

"I can’t believe it," said Dih for Monique to hear at the other end of the table

Monique, fortunately, was in deep council with Preshea, Lord Dingleproops, Lord Mersey, and several of the older girls on the subject of decorations Who supplied the best fresh flowers in London? And did they want ribbons, rosettes, and strea options?