“Well,” he said, crossing his arms. “It’s a good thing I’m quick and observant. Nothing like seeing the headmistress darting down the corridors like her life depended on it.”
I didn’t answer. I had a scroll open now, the ink still fresh in places where changes had been made just an hour before, with new additions, shifts in class assignments, and a few latecomers who had finally been sorted into their wings.
I ran my finger down the names, pausing every few lines to scan the notes beside them.
Vivienne, Mara, Opal, Limora... all accounted for. All familiar. I’d spoken with each of them, guided them, and helped them find their way.
But the two women from the library?
I didn’t recognize either of them.
Their voices. Their faces. Not even a vague recollection.
And thatbotheredme.
“I overheard two students,” I said finally. “In the library.”
Twobble sat up straighter. “Plotting something?”
I nodded. “They were definitely planning something and had kept tabs on whether Keegan was on site.”
He blinked. “That’s… well, that’s unsettling.”
“Mm-hmm.” I nodded. “Not to mention, Keegan had to attend to a problem guest back at the inn.”
“You think it’s connected?”
“Possibly, but I’m trying not to be an alarmist.”
He squinted. “Disappointing. It’s always fun when that happens.”
I stared down at the list again. The names blurred a little at the edges. Most of the students were exactly who they appeared to be, with traits that seemed perfect for the Academy. Theperfect combo of hopeful, tired, curious, and stubborn. Women with stories. With reasons for returning to magic.
But what if a few of those stories weren’t true?
What if someone had come not tolearn, but towatch?
“I need to know who they are,” I said, pacing now, mind racing. “If they’re enrolled. If they’re using aliases. What classes they’ve attended. Who’s seen them? Anything.”
Twobble tilted his head. “You want me to snoop?”
“Yes.”
He grinned. “Finally.”
“Discreetly.”
He scowled. “Less exciting, but fine.”
I stopped pacing and turned to him, deadly serious. “I mean it, Twobble. No dramatic flailing. No accusing anyone. No yelling about shadows. Let’s start with previous addresses and aliases. You know, get me nicknames. What they’ve been up to before life at the Academy.”
He swirled his finger dramatically. “I am up for the job. I’ll get you more dirt than you’ll know what to do with.”
I snickered. “Twobble.”
“I’ll be invisible.”
“You’ll bebarely tolerable.”
