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He stopped at our row, and I closed my eyes and waited But the tap never cairl across froracefully made her way down the aisle

The six students lined up in front of the podiu of the new Board of Monitors," Nathaniel explained "Model students" His voice betrayed a hint of bitterness "They make sure everyone keeps the rules"

"How are they chosen?"

"They’re picked by the faculty It’s really difficult to get There’s this test you have to pass, but no one knohat it is, and the Monitors won’t say That’s probably why they were chosen They’re suck-ups"

Head and left the podium She approached the first boy from behind and tapped him on the shoulder "Brandon Bell," she announced in a corid Fromme

"Schuyler Soverel

"Laney Tannenbaum

"Maxwell Platkin

"Genevieve Tart"

Only juniors and seniors could be tapped, Nathaniel explained Brandon, Ingrid, and Schuyler were fourth years, and were on the board last year The third years were Laney, Maxwell, and Genevieve The headant "Board of Monitors Tonight I bind you to Gottfried Academy From this moment on, the student body is your body The student voice is your voice… "

The e behind the trees Headazed around the lawn

"And now," she bellowed, "let us wake"

One by one the Board of Monitors opened their eyes and raised their heads All of the students followed suit The night sky was clear The reflection of the moon rippled in the lake, and a cool breeze fluttered above, rustling the leaves

The headmistress removed a small knife from the podium and cut a deep slit into the bark of the tree Thick red sap oozed out She dipped her fingers into it and tapped each Monitor on the forehead, s a crimson streak just above their eyes

Then she spoke in Latin, her voice booreen

Nathaniel translated "‘Blood fro in the roots beneath May ourreborn’"

The head and turned to the new Board of Monitors They looked frightening, al down their foreheads I had never heard of a tree that bled red sap