The teachers took their seats, but the chair stayed empty as my mother took her place at the podium in the center of the long head table.
“Women of the Gallagher Academy, who comes here?” she asked.
Just then, every girl at every table (even the newbies) stood and said in unison, “We are the sisters of Gillian.”
“Why do you come?” my mother asked.
“To learn her skills. Honor her sword. And keep her secrets.”
“To what end do you work?”
“To the cause of justice and light.”
“How long will you strive?”
“For all the days of our lives.” We finished, and I felt a little like a character on one of my grandma’s soap operas.
We sat down, but Mom remained standing. “Welcome back, students,” she said, beaming. “This is going to be a wonderful year here at the Gallagher Academy. For our newest members”—she turned to the table of seventh graders, who seemed to shiver under her intense gaze—“welcome. You are about to begin the most challenging year of your young lives.
