Desert Dark Read Online Free Page A

sight?”
    â€œThe dean of students likes to keep track.” The gate closed behind them.
    Inside the wall, it was another world—a literal oasis in the desert. Against the backdrop of vermilion mountains, eight buildings formed a semicircle around a lush carpet of grass. The lawn sloped gently toward her; the driveway ran along the bottom of the hill at the base of the half-circle. Flower beds packed with purple and white pansies lined the concrete path curving along campus.
    â€œDean Wolfe is expecting you.” The driver pulled to the building on the far right. An etched stone marker read
Hopi Hall
. He nodded toward a slender woman waiting on the steps. “That’s his assistant, Ms. McGill. She’ll take you from here.”
    Ms. McGill smiled. Freckles covered her crisp features. “We’re glad you could come.” She handed Nadia a bottled water. “Drink this. It’s a hundred and eight today.”
    â€œThank you so much.” Nadia chugged the icy water. The afternoon sun filtered through the palm trees over her head and danced across the jute-colored wall. The flickering light made her head swim. “I think I was a little dehydrated.”
    Inside, Ms. McGill’s heels clicked along the travertine. She led Nadia to a sitting room at the end of the hall. “I’ll get your uniforms. You’re about five-three?” Nadia nodded. “Have a seat. Dean Wolfe will be with you shortly.”
    â€œThank you.” Nadia stepped into the cool, dark room. A bank of windows covered the far wall. To her left the mountains erupted like crumpled paper; to the right, the distant city nestled in the saddle of the valley. Glass-covered bookshelves lined the walls, like soldiers standing at attention. A brass nameplate bolted to the heavy door in front of her read Thadius Wolfe.
    Nadia sank back into an oversized chair, then changed her mind and sat forward, embarrassed her feet didn’t quite reach the floor when she reclined. She sat awkwardly erect on the edge of her seat, ankles crossed. She waited.
    And waited.
    Finally, the door opened. “Miss Riley? I’m Dean Wolfe.” His smooth voice resonated through the room.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you.” Nadia stood to shake his hand.
    Thadius Wolfe, attractive in a distinguished sort of way, had deep-set eyes and dark hair streaked with grey. His huge frame filled the doorway. He looked powerful, and not just physically. “Please, come in.”
    Indigo drapes largely concealed the window behind his desk; a matching oriental rug covered the floor. A small lamp with asunset-orange glass globe cast a tiny pond of light onto a file labeled Riley, Nadia.
    She sat in one of the two wingback chairs, hands in her lap. The soft leather whispered as Dean Wolfe reclined into the other navy chair.
    â€œMr. Sloan explained that you’re replacing another student, so you understand classes have started for the semester.” The Dean plucked a speck of lint from his pant leg and dropped it on the rug.
    â€œYes. I was sorry to hear about the accident.”
    â€œIt’s a horrible thing, losing such a young person.” He paused for a moment, then cleared his throat. “You’ll need to relinquish your cell phone at this time.”
    Nadia raised her eyebrows as he continued. “Communications between students and the outer community are restricted. If you need to telephone your parents, your dormitory assistant will make arrangements.”
    She nodded. “I guess my bags are in my room?”
    â€œSecurity is checking them. They will be delivered when they’re done.”
    â€œGlad I left my contraband at home,” Nadia joked.
    He didn’t smile. “You are required to wear a uniform on campus at all times with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays. All classes are mandatory. You train in jujutsu three days a week. In addition, first-year students are required to