Sylvie wanted to ask more, but Gideon cut her off.
“However, that’s a discussion for another day. It’s time to head back to the dorms.” She pulled open a drawer and tossed the scroll inside.
Sylvie stared after it. But like a bulb buried in the ground, it vanished.
Time for Plan B
BEFORE SNEAKING OUT, SYLVIE WAITED UNTIL THE SCHOOL WASdark and the full moon was hanging like a lantern in the sky.
She tiptoed past rows of chocolate vines and fiddlehead ferns. These weren’t just ingredients in spells. They were obstacles, designed to protect the school. Luckily, Sylvie had come prepared.
The seashell-shaped tops of the fiddleheads unfurled. Broad leaves swayed back and forth as the hum of violin strings filled the air.
Sylvie whipped around. She had to silence the concerto before it alerted the ghost peppers patrolling the garden.
She pulled off her watch.
She’d read about the noisy ferns in the bookThe Giddy Garden.
They hate dry soil and direct light.
Sylvie tapped the face on her watch, lighting it up. The glow danced across the fronds. The leaves gave a shudder.
Gotcha!Sylvie moved closer. One by one, the blades shrunk back into tight curls. The garden grew quiet. Sylvie trudged forward, watch raised.
An archway of branches twisted overhead. Glossy globes dangled from the boughs.Apples.A sugary perfume drifted through the air. Sylvie tried to ignore the alluring smell.
Flora had cautioned her about picking apples from the orchard. It was full of Northern Spy and Black Diamond varieties. Each was laced with buttery caramel, an irresistible combination. The aroma was designed to entice people into eating them, only to bewitch those who did.
Sylvie ducked past a gnarled trunk. Sticky sugar slid down the bark like droplets of sap. Her mouth salivated. She fought against the urge to steal a lick.Tuna salad left in the sun. Rubbery macaroni.
She could see the edge of the grove moving closer.
Soggy pizza.
She had to ignore the magic. If she failed, she’d be stuck here, gorging on caramel apples until dawn.
Almost there!
A few pinpricks of light danced beyond the grove.Just a little farther.Then she’d reach the school steps. She had to get to the note tonight, before anyone else found it.
Sylvie pushed past the final trees. The scent of wet dirt now tickled her nose.
Ahh …
Orbs of light floated over the snoring Corinthian staircase. Sylvie inched closer and pulled out the chocolate peppermints.
“Here you go, little guys.” She tossed another peppermint onto the ground. “Enjoy!”
As if on cue, the bottom step let out a growl. Its center drooped toward the earth, giving the morsels a sniff. An asphalt tongue, rough and mottled, lapped it up.
Sylvie eyed the stones, wondering what they were made of.Chocolate like Gideon’s table?Or maybe kaolin and lactose powder?
Grrr!
Teeth, sharp as spear points, snapped at Sylvie’s ankles.
Too much of a bite to be chocolate,thought Sylvie, resisting the urge to swat at the step and yell,Bad dog!
