Quote 1
"That cell block over there is Augustine. It's where we have our so-called Social events on Wednesday nights. And all of our classes," [Arriane] said, pointing to the buildings the color of yellowed teeth, two buildings to the right of the dorm…It was dismally square, dismally fortress like, fortified by the same barbed wire and barbed windows. An unnatural looking gray mist cloaked the walls like moss, making it impossible to see whether anyone was over there. (1.116)
Arriane, ever the helpful tour guide, tells Luce all about the various delights that Sword & Cross has to offer. So far, it sounds absolutely charming, even if it's meant to intimidate and keep its students in line.
Quote 2
"Over here you'll find our state-of-the-art gymnasium," she said, assuming a nasal tour guide tone of voice. "Yes, yes, to the untrained it looks like a church. It used to be. We're kind of in an architectural hand-me-down Hell here at Sword & Cross." (1.139)
In another of Arriane's wonderful tour-guide moments, she points out the church-nasium to Luce, a building that is a combination of religious sanctuary and athletic facility. Only at a place like Sword & Cross would buildings like this exist.
Quote 3
"Are you afraid of who you really are, Luce?"
"No," Luce said again quickly. It must be so obvious that she was lying. She closed her eyes. All she wanted from Sword & Cross was a fresh start, a place where people didn't look at her the way Arriane was looking at her right now. (1.108-109)
Luce's desperation to get away from her past—rather than own it and move forward from it—is very apparent here. She sees Sword & Cross as a clean slate, a place where she can remake herself and forget the horrors of her past. What Luce doesn't seem prepared for is the fact that everyone here has his or her own horrors, and everyone is pretty big on sharing.