The Third Lie's the Charm by Lisa Roecker Page B

echoed and it was at least ten degrees cooler. Not to mention that these tunnels and me? We had a history. And it wasn’t really a happy one.
    As I turned the corner, I saw the exact spot where Alistair had tackled me and I had stabbed him with one of the swords stolen from the Sisterhood’s headquarters. After that, I passed the spot where Liam had been knocked unconscious. And then finally the door to the headquarters where almost six months ago, I had believed I would find my best friend, Grace. Alive and well.
    But instead I found Taylor. The Sisterhood. Instead, I found the truth.
    And this morning I had to face it all over again. I had to press the buttons on the massive oak door and swing it open and walk back into the belly of the bitch.
    Push through. I pressed the code. Push through. I held my breath. Push through.
    The first thing that struck me as the door clicked open was the sheer number of girls in the room. The Sisterhood wasn’t huge by any stretch of the imagination. Twenty-one girls total. But having them all in the headquarters at the same time—legs strewn across leather couches, hair streaming over the high backs of antique wood chairs, the high-pitched buzz of excited female voices all talking at the same time—was striking.
    For a girl who had spent the better part of her year hanging out with a couple of dudes, it was all a little overwhelming.
    Taylor was standing behind a podium, and the instant she saw me walk through the door, she rapped her tiny bejeweled gavel three times. The room went completely silent.
    â€œNow that we are all present…” She shot another pointed look in my direction. I twisted Grace’s pearls nervously. “I’d like to call this meeting to order.” She lowered her eyes for a second, concentrating, and then lifted her long lashes. “ Una simus ,” she said. “We are together.”
    â€œ Una simus ,” we responded at once.
    â€œ Tenemur ,” Taylor continued. “We are bound.”
    â€œ Tenemur ,” we repeated.
    â€œ Sumus sorores ,” she finished. “We are sisters.”
    â€œ Sumus sorores .” The words filled every inch of the space, and I let the meaning wash over me. We are sisters.
    I am a traitor , I added silently.
    â€œIn light of recent events, Headmistress Bower has asked that I clarify our stance on interactions with members of the now-defunct society, the Brotherhood.” Taylor took a deep breath and looked around the room, slowly locking eyes with each and every member. “Sisters are not to have any interaction with former members of the Brotherhood. We are unsure of who or what is behind the recent tragedy involving Alistair Reynolds and ex-Headmaster Sinclair, but rest assured the school’s administration is working toward a resolution.
    â€œNow that we, the Sisterhood, are the sole surviving society at Pemberly Brown, we have an obligation to our peers and students to keep our school safe, so if you have any information as to who might be involved with this accident, we ask that you report directly to me or the Headmistress. Thank you.”
    Taylor rapped the gavel again and the girls in the room began to disperse. But not before Naomi’s voice rose above all the others.
    â€œWait,” she said, raising a hand and standing. A hush spread over the room, and it became clear that no one usually spoke during these meetings unless they were holding a gavel. Eyebrows raised and eyes widened. “I know Headmistress Bower wants us to stay out of this, but Alistair was my brother’s best friend. It’s just wrong to ignore it.” Naomi lowered her chin and breathed deeply as though she was fighting emotion. “No one wants to talk about Conventus, but can’t we work together? Can’t we protect each other? Why does it have to be one or the other?”
    I couldn’t imagine how hard it was for Naomi to say the words, for her to