Lori's heart had sunk.
*Maybe it's better this way,* she told herself. *A quick goodbye would only make it harder.*
She grabbed her bag and walked toward the entrance.
The academy grounds were quiet—most students were in classes, leaving the pathways empty and still. Lori's footsteps echoed on the stone as she made her way toward the parking area, where Iva had arranged for a car to take her to the castle.
She was so focused on her own disappointment that she almost missed the sound.
A horn.
She looked up.
A large SUV—black, sleek, with tinted windows that reflected the morning sun—was parked near the gates. It honked again, soft and insistent, as if the driver had been waiting for her.
*Probably my ride,* Lori thought. *Fancy.*
She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and walked towa
