Kids were now emptying their boxes onto the ground.
“I can help with that,” said Flora, rummaging through the bins behind the counter. “You’ll need those when you’re cutting Torpedo onions… . Plus, they come in handy with the ghost peppers in the garden. Here we go!” She pulled out a leather strap attached to a peculiar silver frame and thick, round lenses.
Sylvie signed her paper, slipped it onto the counter, and stepped carefully over the strewn contents. Her eyes settled on the knife bags hanging on the far wall.
These were for studying Sages. Colored leather and canvas rolls, in various shapes and sizes. This was where students stored their most important tool …their Blade.Sylvie left her classmates behind and made her way over to the knife bags.When will I have mine?She fingered the gold clasps.Hopefully soon.
“I’m telling you, Kitty. It’s getting out of hand!”
Sylvie crouched between two giant spools of fabric as Madame Pelletier moved closer.
“Keep your voice down, Genevieve.” Kitty glanced over her shoulder. “We don’t want the kids overhearing.”
Madame Pelletier pulled out her Blade—a pink mother-of-pearl handle with a serrated edge—and sheared off several yards of fabric. “You heard that Maxwell boy! There will be more like him. Now that Bass has taken over, sides are being taken … and what about the message that appeared on the scroll?”
“That should give us some comfort. It wasn’t just our scrolls that were infiltrated,” whispered Kitty. “The notice appeared on theentirescroll system.”
Genevieve stared, goggle-eyed. “You mean, all of them … everywhere?”
“Yes,” said Kitty. “A resistance is forming!”
Resistance?Sylvie couldn’t help but think back to Jean’s words in the diner.Bass may not realize it yet, but there are Sages who share my opinion—lots of them. They’re starting to talk.
Genevieve clutched the fabric. “You meanthe organization?”
Kitty nodded. “They’ve been quietly gathering followers. In fact, I suspect that is where August has gone.”
Sylvie couldn’t help but wonder,whichorganization? Her mom certainly hadn’t mentioned anything. Then again, maybe she didn’t know.
“It will make things more difficult, but they’ll take August in and protect him,” said Kitty with certainty.
“More difficult?” Madame Pelletier lowered her voice. “He was one of Godard’s best students … a mentor! The CCS would love to make an example out of him.”
Sylvie squeezed down, listening intently.A Brindille student. That explains why Kitty acted like she knew him.
“I am aware of August’s background. You don’t need to remind me.” Kitty pulled anxiously at a tuft of fur on her cuff. “Besides, Godard seems to think he’s innocent.”
Genevieve shook her head. “I’m not saying he’s gone bad. I’m just telling you that’s what Bass will say. They’ll blame his Scullery background… . And if the CCS finds out August was here just last week, the school’s future could be in jeopardy.”
Butterflies fluttered through Sylvie’s stomach.Last week?Her mind traveled back to the book in the library. Now, she felt more determined than ever to get to the slip of paper and uncover its secrets.
Kitty glanced around nervously. “I’m afraid that’s already happened.”
“Eek!”Madame Pelletier threw a hand over her mouth. “How did they find out?”
“It seems a codling moth has burrowed in,” said Kitty.
“You mean … a spy working for the CCS …here?”
“Yes.” Kitty lowered her voice. “Agents came this afternoon and questioned all the instructors. TheyknewAugust had been here. Which means someone tipped them off.”
“I’d put my money on Belinda Bass,” said Madame Pelletier. “That girl has no allegiance to Brindille.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that,” said Kitty. “However, it couldn’t have been Belinda… . Strange traveled here through the faculty oven, which means—”
“Only staff knew about his visit,” gasped Madame Pelletier.
“Exactly!”
