House of Korba: The Ghost Bird Series: #7 (The Academy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

greeting.
    “Miss Sorenson,” he said.
    “Sorry,” I said as I smoothed out the shirt on my body and combed back lose strands of my hair.
    “Don’t apologize,” he said. He opened the door wider and took a step inside. He was as immaculate as ever, with his hair brushed back, the gray suit and maroon tie. The shirt was a slightly different than normal, with a more gray to the usual white, and the tie had a thin gold stripe instead of being a solid color. His eyes shifted as he studied the room. “I thought you’d like to join us now.”
    “To talk about Mr. Hendricks?” I asked.
    “For a family meeting,” he said. “Now that our Academy business is out of the way, and we’ve got most of our members here, we should probably have one.”
    Silas had once told me they held family meetings but I hadn’t yet to be invited to one. I nodded, eager to listen in. My heart fluttered, too, nervous at the idea of being a part of them in such a way. I started to climb off the bed.
    Mr. Blackbourne stepped forward, holding out a hand, staring right at me.
    I stopped my movements, at first confused with what he wanted. He wanted me to hold his hand?
    Then I understood he meant to help me climb off the bed. I sucked in a breath, holding it as I eased my hand into his.
    He grasped it and held strong. He touched lightly at my elbow, guiding me to stand up beside him.
    The smallest stretch of that millimeter smile appeared. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately,” he said.
    “We’ve all been,” I said quietly.
    “We shouldn’t be so busy that we don’t have time to talk properly.”
    “You know,” I said, “perhaps we could...” I trailed off because I realized it was idiotic, and also because he still had a hold of my hand. He held firmly, like he was assisting holding me upright. His palm had been cool, but started to warm quickly. The longer he held on, the harder my heart started to pound.
    He stared at me after I hesitated. “Yes?” he asked.
    “I know we’re not really supposed to text much about Academy things,” I said, “but I wondered if, since you’re busy, maybe we should...maybe since we go so long...” I stumbled for the right way to suggest it. I’d been so used to texting the other boys, or calling them, but Mr. Blackbourne was always someone I only bothered if I needed something. I couldn’t imagine just calling him to talk about everyday things. I thought perhaps if I could text him on occasion, it’d be easier. I’d get to know him more, even if he was busy.
    He stared for so long, his lips pursed. I wasn’t sure if I had said the wrong thing.
    “Of course,” I continued, “I know there’s security protocols. And I know there—”
    “Family first,” he said, his voice softer. “We shouldn’t text or talk on the phone about Academy issues, but any other topic should be fine.”
    I nodded. My heart tripped over itself, and I pushed my free palm to my thigh, trying to still my hand from shaking. I tried to think of something I’d want to tell him that wasn’t about the Academy. I knew several things, but being brave about saying it out loud was difficult.
    His head tilted, and those gray eyes glided down to my T-shirt and shorts. He touched a finger briefly to the corner of his dark-rimmed glasses, adjusting them. “Would you like to change before you come out to the living room?”
    “I don’t want to hold everyone up,” I said automatically, and then realized he had been suggesting I change and I’d dismissed it right off. He wasn’t a shorts and T-shirt type of person. I was out of place next to him, with the suit and tie.
    He released me, straightening, and then headed for the door. “We shouldn’t be too long.”
    I made a fist with my hand, holding onto the bit of warmth we’d shared in the moment. I tried to soothe the feelings before following him out.
    ♥♥♥
    I n the living room, Kota, Victor and Gabriel sat on the couch. North and Nathan were sitting