Even without the dark hoodie, Sylvie recognized the amber eyes.It’s the man from the diner.Only now, he had a name.
Salt in the Devil’s Eye
SYLVIE READ THE NOTICE, LETTING IT ALL SINK IN.
THECCSINTERRUPTS YOUR NORMALLY SCHEDULED NEWS TO BRING YOU THIS IMPORTANT BULLETIN.
AUGUSTSTRANGE HAS STOLEN A VALUABLECCSARTIFACT. HE IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS. AREWARD OF TEN GALLONS LIQUID GOLD IS BEING OFFERED.
HE IS WANTED: DEAD ORALIVE!
Sylvie’s hands turned icy. Her chest tightened. Sometimes, truth was hard to spot. Then there were times, like now, when it smacked you right between the eyes.
The CCS was going to a lot of trouble to track down August Strange. The reward was beyond generous. But that wasn’t the only thing bothering her. There’d been no mention of the Apple of Discord.He wasright. They don’t want anyone to know about it.
LIES! LIES!
New words lashed across the scroll, covering the CCS’s message like angry puncture marks.
GIVE PEOPLE THE FULL STORY. OR WE’LL DO IT FOR YOU!
Red ink shot across the scroll, covering it in what looked like a spray of blood.
Bang!
Flora dropped the pumpkin-shaped book. Pepitas scattered across the floor, but her eyes stayed focused on the splotch of ink.
“Did the scroll just get hijacked?” Adara asked.
“It’shacked,” said Big Shawn, “and yes. I think it did.”
Sylvie eyed the screen as it went dark.Someone else must know there’s more to Strange’s story. But who?Her thought was cut off.
“All instructors, please report to Madame Godard’s office for an urgent faculty meeting,” said a voice over the loudspeaker. “Students and Pips will return to their dorm rooms until further notice.”
A group of instructors rushed past, huddled in discussion.
Sylvie turned back to Ms. Honeycut, who still had Escoffier’s book clutched in her hands. She seemed to snap back to attention. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” She gave the book a curious glance. “You can’t check this out.”
“But—”
“You heard the announcement,” said Ms. Honeycut. “All Pips and students must return to their dormsat once.You can get it after the Commis Contest. It’s only a few days away.” She tossed the book into the restack bin.
There was no use arguing. Sylvie could feel the spell already dissolving inside her. She stole a final glance. The book slipped down into the bin, like a key drifting toward the bottom of a lake.
The rest of the morning went by in a bit of a haze. Classes were canceled. This was no surprise to Sylvie. As soon as the wanted poster flashed across the library’s scroll, she’d noticed instructors rushing through the halls. The messages had obviously rattled them too.
But they weren’t the only ones with mysteries to solve. Sylvie had to find a way to get the book back …immediately.
“Please collect your chocolate peppermints,” said Kitty, holding out a silver bowl.
Sylvie was now standing near the school steps with the other Pips. It was just after lunch, and they were finally heading to Madame Pelletier to collect their tool kits and aprons.
“Sorry I’m late, Kitty,” said Flora breathlessly.
“Ah! Good you’re here. You can hand out mints.” Kitty turned and stared inquisitively at her. “Is everything all right, dear?”
Sylvie was wondering the same thing. Flora’s chef’s coat, which had been freshly pressed this morning, was now smudged with chocolate. Bits of flour were clinging to her hair.
