“Josephine was my best friend. Trust me. She’s too smart to fall for that.” Fernand pulled a small black box and a sharpening stone out of his desk. He handed the box to Sylvie. “Hold this.”
Sylvie’s hands turned numb. Josephine hadn’t just fooled Sylvie. She’d tricked Godard, and an entire school.Fernand is right. She’s too clever for that.Sylvie tried to ignore the panic that was filling her gut like bile. She racked her brain for a solution.
“Sometimes life, like cooking, requires you to improvise.” Fernand ran his Blade across the smooth surface of the sharpening stone. “Your mom is already trapped. That doesn’t leave us many options.” He plucked the box out of Sylvie’s hand and tucked it into his pocket. “If things don’t go well, I’ll have my knife. I can try to break the cwtch or cook up a body-binding spell.”
At the very last minute? Bad idea.Sylvie tried to come up with a solution. “We’ll go with you.”
Georgia nodded. “You’ll need someone to have your back.”
Fernand shook his head. “Thanks for the offer. But this is a matter for seasoned Sages. It’s better if you three wait here.”
“But—” started Sylvie.
“My office is well-protected,” said Fernand. “Josephine’s spell can’t penetrate these walls. If things go wrong, you can give an account of what happened to the EMMTs.”
“EMTs?’ Georgia scratched her head. “I’m pretty sure they’re good with broken bones, not cursed souls.”
“Emergency Magical Malady Technicians,” corrected Flora.
Fernand nodded. “They won’t be able to stop the spell, but they’ll at least try and contain it.”
“So, that’s it? We just sit here and wait?” asked Flora. She didn’t seem happy about it, either.
Fernand tucked his Blade into his jacket. “Like I said, it’s for the best.”
A bowl of sugar cubes caught Sylvie’s eye as it floated past. She glanced over at the almonds on Fernand’s desk.Maybe there is something I can do.“Fine … we’ll stay.”
Georgia shot her a look. “Seriously?”
Sylvie nodded.
“Good. If you’re hungry, help yourself to a treat.” Fernand gestured toward the jar of powdered sugar cookies. A small blizzard now seemed to be swirling inside. “But avoid the snowballs. They often cause a chill.”
With that, Fernand hustled out the door.
Georgia turned to Sylvie. “So, what’s the real plan? I assume we’re not just sitting here while Josephine has your mom trapped like a gerbil.”
“Nope.” Sylvie pulled out the cookbook. It was time to cook up another spell.
This Isn’t a Cooking Contest. It’s Life and Death
SYLVIE FLICKED TO THE CANDY RECIPES AT THE BACK OF THEbook.
Flora peered over her shoulder. “Something tells me I know what recipe you’re looking for …pastels?”
“Yes.”
Georgia shook her head. “I never thought cooking would make me nervous, but this whole thing is turning my insides into stew.”
“Relax,” said Sylvie. “Sugared almonds are simple.”
“So were the dragon treats,” said Georgia.
“Maybe things with the dragons didn’t go exactly as planned, but we still got the result we wanted,” replied Sylvie.
Georgia sighed. “Once again, you’re right. It’s both comforting and annoying.”
Flora pointed to the recipe. “There it is!”
