Secret of Light Read Free

give us a few answers, for a change!”
    The dining hall echoed with the sounds and movements of milling bodies. Unlike most gatherings populated by large groups of teens, a feeling of uncertainty tinged the atmosphere like smoke through a firehouse. Darrell looked around, interested in the pervasive feeling. Eagle Glen was a new school for most of the kids here, though she knew some had switched from the European campus. Uncharted territory. Everyone she could see rustling their papers and scraping their chairs seemed touched by first-day-at-a-new-school nerves.
    Darrell smiled. Her summertime experiences had given her a taste of Eagle Glen, though she felt like she had more questions about the school and its principal than ever.
Guess we’ll learn soon enough.
    Darrell and Kate stepped across a tangle of legs to slide into seats beside Brodie. Kate dug throughher bag. “I think I forgot my timetable in the room,” she whispered.
    Brodie leaned around Darrell. “What? You mean you haven’t programmed it into your laptop already? How lax of you.” He chuckled gently.
    Kate smirked and pulled out her laptop. “Why, thank you for reminding me, Brodie,” she said with satisfaction. “As a matter of fact, I have done just that.”
    Brodie groaned. “Unbelievable,” he muttered.
    â€œShhh,” hissed Darrell. “Here comes Professor Tooth.”
    The principal stepped onto a raised platform and looked out at the sea of faces. The tables had been pushed back against the walls and windows, and the open space was filled with chairs. Without raising her hand or even an eyebrow, quiet dropped like a blanket over the room. She smiled.
    â€œI’m not sure what to make of a silence like this one. However, based on my years of experience as a teacher, I realize I should enjoy these moments when I can find them.” She stepped forward and her eyes seemed to take in every face. “I must say I am filled with a tremendous sense of excitement this evening. As many of you know, this is the second fully functioning campus of Eagle Glen School. The first has been running successfully in Europe for more than a decade. I know you must all be eager to have the new year underway and hear more about your classes, so I will keep my remarks very brief.”
    A murmur ran through the group, and Darrell settled herself more comfortably. If this speech was likeany of those she had listened to from previous principals, it would probably go on a lot longer than everyone would like. Still — she looked around at the faces of the other students. It was weird, but everyone seemed to be paying attention.
    â€œEagle Glen is a unique school. We view each student’s education very seriously here, and recognize that much learning in the life of a teenager comes from more than the pages of a textbook. Eagle Glen is a school where you will follow the customary path to higher learning — with a twist. Each student is encouraged — expected — to find the path best suited to him or her. Some of you may find,” and here Darrell could have sworn Professor Tooth’s eyes twinkled directly at her, “the path is far more interesting and involved than you might ever have expected.”
    Darrell felt Kate’s elbow dig into her side, and she pressed her own knuckles hard against the smile she felt threatening to turn into a laugh.
    â€œYou will now be assembled according to form, and each group of students will go through timetables with its form teacher. Each form teacher will be available during school hours to answer any questions you may have. After school hours, this job passes to the head students. Elections for these positions will be held next week. Until then, your form teacher will give you all the information you need. Would the fourth form please stand? I’ll ask you to follow Mr. Neuron to the math centre.”
    There was a general rustling and muttering