“I already know what I want.”
“Rule number five.” Abby gestured toward the man who’d let out the burp. “It’s about blending in. We don’t want Scullery growing suspicious.”
Scullerywas the word Sages like her mom used to describe people with zero magical culinary talent. People who had no clue that spells were real and ready to be served up to you on a dinner plate.
“Fine.” Sylvie picked up a menu. Maybe she’d get a slice of apple pie instead of banana cream … or both.Yes, definitely two slices!
A man sitting in the corner caught Sylvie’s eye. It was the same guy she’d seen outside. His tan face was still partially concealed by the hoodie, but now Sylvie could make out a few details. Wooden beads were woven through the strands of dark locs peeking out by his ears. He had a large ring on his right hand. Once again, his gaze was fixed on Sylvie.
Sylvie felt her heart thrum in her chest like a guitar string.
First of all, no one wore a thick sweatshirt with the hood pulled up in late summer.Not unless they’re trying to keep their identity a secret.Second, the man had an old metal lunch box resting in his lap.Who brings their own food to a diner?
Before Sylvie could contemplate things further, the man stood up and headed straight toward her.
Sylvie craned her neck, eyes roaming, as she searched for the emergency exit.
Someone had tried to destroy her family once before with a basket of hexed muffins. Now with her mom ready to compete in All-Stars, fans and enemies were in a frenzy.
Sylvie grabbed her bag, ready to run, when the man sat down across from her.
“I must warn you, Sylvie Jones.” His eyes sparkled like drops of amber in sunlight.
Sylvie paused. “How do you know my name?”
He lifted the lunch box onto the table. “What I know isn’t important. It’s what youdon’tknow that matters.”
Sylvie couldn’t help but notice the peculiar ring he was wearing. It looked like a grape leaf, with a pinpricked circle in the center. He opened the lunch box’s lid.
Inside, nestled in a silk handkerchief, was a sphere of solid gold—and yet, it didn’t seem solid at all. Sparks of light erupted in the center. Tiny leaves unfurled at the core, radiating life and magic.
“What is that?” Sylvie asked.
“A fiercely guarded treasure … the Apple of Discord.”
Sylvie had read a few things about the Apple in one of her mom’s botany books. Supposedly, the CCS had a secret tree that only produced fruit in times of great danger.But an Apple hasn’t bloomed in more than a century.
Maybe it’s a fake,she thought. Though it certainly looked real.Or … this whole thing is some sort of weird test?
“Is this a lesson for the preparatory program?” Sylvie asked, still trying to make sense of things. “Will I be graded on my answers?”
“What? No.” The man lowered his voice. “The Apple of Discord is a sign. A reckoning is coming. As soon as Bass was elected”—he pointed—“this bloomed. Of course, there are people at the CCS who don’t want anyone to know. That’s why I had to take it. When all eyes are focused on the same point, I’ll show everyone the truth.”
Sylvie quickly made up her mind. She wanted nothing to do with this guy, or his stolen apple. She stood up to leave. “Well, it’s been nice chatting, but—”
The man caught her hand. “You don’t understand. The Apple chooses the one who can make things right. Look!” He turned the nestled sphere over. Something was written on the back.
Sylvie’s eyes burned as the letters grew brighter. She tilted her head, trying to read.It’s a name.
But it wasn’t just any name… . It washername.
Aqua-What?
SYLVIE STARED AT THE SHIMMERING APPLE.“WHO ARE YOU?Why does this have my name on it?”
A gust of cold air suddenly filled the diner. Two large men dressed in canvas aprons stepped inside. Tiny pins, just like the one her mom was wearing, were hooked onto the neck straps, marking them with a spot of gold. To most, they probably looked like a couple of line cooks getting ready to start the dinner shift. But Sylvie recognized those pins.CCS agents!These were the aggressive watchdogs of the council.
Panic washed over her like a chilling spray of water. It would be a disaster if the agents caught her with this guy.
