Chapter 15 · Dropped Into Witch Academy at Midnight - Chapter 15: Down Where the Dead Spell Sleeps

The heartbeat on the dead screen won't stop pulsing. It's coming from below. The old infirmary, Rena said. Sealed off decades ago.

I'm already moving toward the door.

"Alex." Cassandra's voice cuts through the room like frost. "You're not going down there."

I turn. She's standing between me and the exit, arms crossed, that ice-instructor look locked in place. Vivienne's beside her, gentler but just as blocking. They've both lied to me. They've both kept secrets. And now they're both acting like I'm the one who needs supervision.

"Get out of my way."

"No." Cassandra doesn't move. "You don't know what's down there."

"Then tell me." I step closer. The defibrillator's still warm against my ribs under my shirt. "Because right now, the only thing I know for sure is that something with my signature is calling from a place nobody's supposed to go. And you two are acting like that's totally normal."

Vivienne reaches out, her fingers brushing my sleeve. "Alex, please. Let us explain first."

I yank my arm back. "You've had weeks to explain. I'm done waiting."

I push past them. Cassandra grabs my wrist, her grip cold and tight.