SYLVIE ANDFLORA WALKED THROUGH THE GARDEN TOWARDthe massive building in the distance.
Sylvie wasn’t sure if it was the cookie she’d eaten, or the fact that she was about to see the inside of Brindille for the first time, but her mood was improving.
“See those?” Flora pointed to a cluster of shrubs covered in cobalt globes. “They’re sticky plums.”
“Plumbushes?”
Flora nodded. “The fruit is great for making Roly-Poly, but the blossoms are like glue. We’re supposed to avoid them until every bloom is gone. Last year, Maggie Leung forgot. She harvested some too early and ended up stuck in the branches. They had to cut her out of her chef’s coat to get her loose.”
Sylvie squeezed closer to the path. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
Flora cleared her throat. “I’m mentioning it because … well, I know Brindille has a lot of rules … though no fighting is pretty much universal. But they’re all in place for a reason. Try to remember that. It’ll help keep you out of trouble.”
“Thanks. I will.” Sylvie resisted the urge to make more excuses. “I’m sure you know a lot if you’re a mentor… . They only choose the top two students from each class. Right?”
“Correct,” said Flora. “But that doesn’t mean we’re perfect. Maggie mentors the first-year students and look what happened to her. I’ve gotten myself into some tight spots too. But there’s someone that’s always inspired me to do better … your mom.”
Sylvie paused. “Really?”
“Yes.” Flora glanced at her. “You’re surprised.”
Sylvie shrugged. “It’s not what I’m used to hearing from others … especially not now.”
“I get it,” said Flora. “You know, your mom was the first female chef to ever win the Golden Whisk. I know people think she cheated, but I’m not one of them. I was only six at the time, but I remember watching her on TV. Agirl,anAmerican,standing at the top of the podium. It left a lasting impression! That’s when I decided I wanted to compete too.”
“You know, there’s always been so much negative press about what happened, I didn’t even realize she’d be, like, an inspiration,” said Sylvie.
Flora nodded. “A few years later, Lea Linster took home the gold, and then came Jana Lai. Her pulled sugar wasinsane! She made a whole forest of isomalt trees come to life.”
Sylvie glanced sidelong at Flora. “Do all mentors know this much about the Golden Whisk?”
“Er … no.” Flora smiled sheepishly. “I’m what you’d call a ‘superfan.’ It’s my dream to someday compete. In fact, this year I’m entering the Commis Contest.”
Sylvie already knew about the Commis Contest. Her mom won it once when she was a student. Unlike the Golden Whisk, there’d been no controversy surrounding that competition, so it was a happy memory.
Each year, the Brindille student who won got to assist Team USA at the Golden Whisk. The Commis Contest was always an epic festival, full of battles, delicious food, and spells.
“What are you planning to make?” asked Sylvie.
Flora pursed her lips. “That’s top secret. But let’s just say, everyone will have to see it to believe it. It’s taken me six months to perfect.”
“That’s a long time to cook up one recipe.”
“Cooking is simply a spell made visible,” Flora replied. “It shouldn’t be rushed.”
Ooh, I like that,thought Sylvie.
The girls stopped at the edge of the security steps. Flora bent down. “Let them sniff the back of your hand. Then drop a chocolate peppermint.”
A sandpapery tongue ran itself over the back of Sylvie’s hand.
Yuck!
She dropped the chocolate, wiped the stair cooties on her pants, and followed Flora up.
“My parents try to understand my Golden Whisk obsession,” continued Flora. “But it’s hard… . They’re both Scullery.”
“But then how did you know about magic?” asked Sylvie.
