Nora's POV
The envelope materializes through our fireplace with a soft whoosh, landing on the hearth with an ominous thud. Antonia picks it up, examining the parchment with obvious suspicion.
"This came through your fireplace." She holds it out toward me, her expression skeptical. "I thought you already received your acceptance letter to that magical school."
"Ha. It didn't exactly work out that way." I abandon the kitchen counter where I've been preparing dinner and accept the letter from her, my stomach immediately knotting with dread. The afternoon has been blissfully peaceful. James and I spent hours lounging on the couch, lost in mindless television shows, our bodies intertwined in comfortable silence. I flip the envelope over and spot the Grand Shadowhaven's distinctive emblem pressed into the crimson wax seal. The pentagram seems to mock me as I stare at it for several heartbeats before breaking the seal.
