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Lizbeth said hotly. “And if it weren’t for your help, she’d be dead. Tell me that doesn’t give you a sense of pride.”
    Father Schrader raised an eyebrow. “It was a miracle they both survived, Lizbeth. Let us consider Miss Mather’s good luck rather than her bravery. I beg you, Camdon, interrupt.”
    The russet-haired young man named Camdon took on a much more congenial tone. “What Lizbeth is getting at, Angela, is that we are being prejudiced against in the worst way possible. Janna is only one of countless others in her predicament. This Academy was made to be a haven for people like us, but if even that’s been lost to us now, we should at the very least band together and look out for one another’s interests. Stephanie’s sorority was as corrupt as her, but with you at the head of this newly formed Order—”
    â€œWhat makes you think that more segregation will help our cause?” Angela said a little hotly herself. “If anything, we should be working to dispel some of the myths about us and mingle with other people, not give them even more reason to be afraid!”
    Camdon blinked at her. “You only say that because you’re forgetting what it is to be ostracized, Angela. Because of Stephanie’s accusations last year, the student body has given you a wide berth. You’ve had it too easy. Your life is too normal, and you’re too respected now. But I guarantee—all that is going to change. It’s only a matter of time.”
    Angela stood, pushing back her chair. “You’re going to sit there and tell me that I don’t know what it is to be ostracized ? Is that it? So what are you saying? That Stephanie should have been right and I was the dreaded Archon after all? Is it better to live my life with the Academy’s eagle eye on everything I do than for a few people to be afraid of me?”
    And even though Angela was the Archon, she’d be damned that they know it. Better that everyone lived in their fantasy world where Stephanie was the beginning and end of all problems and Angela could be left alone .
    Father Schrader was visibly nervous now at the mention of the Archon. He tasted his water, licking his lips. “Miss Mathers, let’s not jump to conclusions and become overly emotional. The events of that horrid night are now lost to us, and we have the future of this Academy to consider. The proposition Camdon suggests is sensible at the very least. A student as admired and respected as yourself is doing no good rotting away in this empty sorority house. You would serve the world, and those like you, much more by becoming a mentor, a leader who could speak for those who are fast losing their voice. Don’t forget, there are many now who are well aware of the circumstances behind the loss of your family, your brother . . .”
    At the mention of Angela’s brother, everyone went silent again.
    Sophia chose this moment to reappear, staring at Angela from a shadowy corner. Her expression suggested only she knew the pain in Angela’s heart and how deep it went.
    Angela steadied herself, biting her lip. Tears welled in her eyes and she wished them away frantically.
    Camdon stood, his shadow casting itself across the table. “Angela, I know what it is to lose the people you love. And that’s why I am here on behalf of the Order, solemnly asking you for your help, to be our leader. Angela, do you know who I am? Do you recognize me at all, in any way?”
    Angela regarded him. His face was soft but handsome. Yet all she could see were his muddy hazel eyes.
    Recognition seared through her. She knew Camdon saw it behind her shocked expression.
    â€œThat’s right. I’m Nina Willis’s brother. Her half brother to be exact.”
    Angela slumped back into her seat, dazed. In her mind, she saw Nina dying all over again, plummeting into Hell so that Angela could live. It had only