Chapter 32: Anastasia

The fabric of the school uniform is stiff. I run my hand down the dark navy sleeve of the small wool jacket, checking the alignment of the seams along the shoulders. It is a size four, slightly too large for Luna's frame, but the academy’s dress code guidelines require the official silver emblem to be pinned exactly two inches below the left lapel notch. I pick up the metal pin from the desk tray, push the sharp point through the thick blue fabric, and slide the plastic guard over the tip until it locks with a small click.

On the floor next to my feet, Luna’s new...