The Serpent in the Glass (The Tale of Thomas Farrell) by D.M. Andrews

with the eyes of others upon him. It always worked if he could convince himself he was really somewhere else. It had the disadvantage of giving the appearance that he wasn’t paying attention, something that had added to his reputation as a daydreamer at his old school. He wasn’t entirely sure why he held such a fear, but he couldn’t help but suspect it had something to do with the pursuing darkness in his recurring dream. Somehow, if no one paid attention to him, it would keep him safe from the eyes of the cold terror that sought his life. But it was just a dream. He knew it shouldn’t affect him like this. But it did.
    As Thomas recovered from his anxiety he became aware of the assembly room again. Miss Havelock had just introduced the Headmaster. Mr Trevelyan stood up and smiled. His trousers were pale orange and the monocle still hung from his neck by its silver chain. Thomas felt immediately more comfortable. He thought he heard Merideah mutter something about bad dress sense, but when he glanced at her she looked the epitome of focus and attention.
    ‘Welcome to Darkledun Manor, School for Gifted Children!’ Mr Trevelyan announced heartily. ‘I trust you’ve all had a chance to settle into your new rooms by now?’
    Penders shot Thomas a knowing look which Thomas did his best to ignore.
    ‘My name is Mr Trevelyan. I am the Headmaster, and hope to be so for a long time. Miss Havelock here is Deputy Head.’ Miss Havelock smiled briefly — very briefly — on hearing her name.
    Mr Trevelyan introduced the teachers seated at the table, but Thomas paid little attention until Mr Trevelyan got to the stern-looking man dressed in dark grey.
    ‘And this is Mr Gallowglas, our Physical Education instructor.’
    Mr Gallowglas inclined his head toward the children, his mouth yielding not so much as a flicker of a smile. Thomas thought the man’s grey eyes fixed onto him, but then he turned to say something to a bearded teacher sitting to his right. As Mr Gallowglas turned, Thomas saw that his jet-black hair had been tied back in a ponytail.
    The Headmaster put his hands behind his back. ‘I’d like to remind you to become familiar with the school rules in your welcome packs. I would particularly point out that no students are allowed near the tower.’ Mr Trevelyan seemed to relax a little before continuing. ‘Now, finally, I’d like to point your attention to our motto: Aonfhuil is Aonchnamh .’
    Thomas caught his breath. Mr Trevelyan had pronounced it exactly the same way as him. He could feel Penders cast a glance his way, but he didn’t take his own eyes off the Headmaster.
    ‘It means ‘One Blood and One Bone’. Here at Darkledun we are not many, but we are a family. We hope you will treat your fellow pupils — your brothers and sisters, if you will — well. And, if you have any problems, please view us, your teachers, as you would your own parents. Today our family has grown by more than any previous year, but don’t worry’ — he looked toward the tables at the other side of the room with a twinkle in his eye — ‘we’ve still got enough food to fill all your bellies! Now, go find your seats at the table.’
    The first-year students didn’t wait for a second offer. They were up and seated within moments, but Thomas felt eyes on the back of his head as he approached the table. He stopped and, gathering his courage, looked back, but no one seemed to be paying him any heed. The Deputy Head had her back to him. She was talking to another teacher, a man with a moustache, whose name Thomas couldn’t remember from the Headmaster’s introductions. Mr Gallowglas was nowhere to be seen. The Headmaster was having a few words with Mr Clear, who seemed to be nodding a lot in response.
    Thomas took the only remaining seat at the table, next to Penders. When he sat down he saw a little white card on the table with his name on it. The seats had been reserved. Looking down the table he saw Jessica had already