Attia nodded. "The academy tries to accommodate the headmaster's needs."
"Lucky me."
Another small smile. "Lucky you."
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving her face.
"You always wanted to be a doctor?" he asked.
Lori realized, with a start, that this was it. This was his opening. His way of getting to know her. No more secrets. No more walls. Just two people asking questions and giving answers.
She took a breath.
"Yes," she said. "My family comes from a long line of healers. My parents are both doctors. My grandparents were doctors. It's... it's what we do."
"And you never wanted anything else?"
Lori thought about it.
"Sometimes," she admitted. "When I was younger, I wanted to be a painter. I loved colors. Mixing them, seeing what new shades I could create." She la
