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Mia saw my hesitation, and it was like Christmas morning had come a week early for her. Until
that moment, I don't think there'd ever been a time in our antagonistic relationship in which
she'd rendered me speechless.
"Ladies," came a stern, female voice. The Moroi attending the front desk leaned over it and
fixed us with a sharp look. "This is a lobby, not a lounge. Either go upstairs or go outside."
For a moment, breaking Mia's nose again sounded like the best idea in the world—to hell with
detention or suspension. After a deep breath, I decided retreat was my most dignified action
now. I stalked off toward the stairs leading up to the girls' dorm. Over my shoulder, I heard Mia
call, "Don't worry, Rose. It'll go away. Besides, it's not your face guys are interested in."
Thirty seconds later, I beat on Lissa's door so hard, it was a wonder my fist didn't go through
the wood. She opened it slowly and peered around.
"Is it just you out here? I thought there was an army at the—oh my God." Her eyebrows shot up
when she noticed the left side of my face. "What happened?"
"You haven't heard already? You're probably the only one in the school who hasn't," I
grumbled. "Just let me in."
Sprawling on her bed, I told her about the day's events. She was properly appalled.
"I heard you'd been hurt, but I figured it was one of your normal things," she said.
I stared up at the spackled ceiling, feeling miserable. "The worst part is, Mia was right. It wasn't
an accident."
"What, you're saying your mom did it on purpose?" When I didn't answer, Lissa's voice turned
incredulous. "Come on, she wouldn't do that. No way."
"Why? Because she's perfect Janine Hathaway, master of controlling her temper? The thing is,
she's also perfect Janine Hathaway, master of fighting and controlling her actions. One way or
another, she slipped up."
"Yeah, well," said Lissa, "I think her stumbling and missing her punch is more likely than her
doing it on purpose. She'd have to really lose her temper."