Georgia froze. “Youdidsteal it … and there I was, sticking up for you. I told them it was dirt under your nails!”
“Would you keep your voice down,” said Sylvie, even though she was pretty sure only a scuttling beetle would hear.
“Do you have any idea what could’ve happened if you’d been caught?” asked Georgia.
Sylvie tried to answer, but Georgia continued.
“Forget about me ever finding a scholarship. I would’ve been pegged as your accomplice.” She tried to put her hands on her hips, but they got tangled. “Ugh! This is so annoying.”
Sylvie’s face grew warm. “You’re not being fair. Besides, if I had been caught, I would’ve told them you had nothing to do with it. But I guess that speech about knocking Bass off his high horse was just empty words.”
“I meant what I said.” Georgia’s expression softened. “Look. I’m all for bending the rules, especially stupid ones … but stealing…”
Sylvie turned prickly. Technically, Georgia was right. But her choice of words made Sylvie feel like a thief in the night. Besides, AgnessuggestedSylvie take the woad. That somehow made it feel less immoral. “Fine. You might have a point,” said Sylvie finally. “But this spell could fix all our troubles.”
Georgia stitched her brows together as she stared at the book. “You really think this spell is the key to undoing Bass’s wicked weaving?”
“I know it is! But now that we’re stuck together, I can’t make the recipe. At least I can’t withoutyou.” Sylvie tried to read Georgia’s expression. “So, will you help me?”
Georgia slowly chewed on a nail. She seemed to be considering the question. “I can’t believe we actually have a secret weapon… . Yes. I’ll help you. But under one condition. You let me make the spell too.”
Just as Agnes had promised, everything Sylvie needed was tucked into the bottom of a speed rack.
Sylvie pulled out the cookbook and placed it on the counter. The kitchen felt eerily quiet. She flicked to the Devils on Horseback recipe.
Georgia peered over her shoulder. “Noor dates. Smoked bacon. A teaspoon of dried hedgenettles. A third cup of Stilton cheese… .Funny. This isn’t what I imagined a forbidden recipe would look like. It doesn’t seem dangerous … unless you’re lactose intolerant. A girl back home has a dairy allergy. One time she accidentally ate a piece of cheese and went into anaphylactic shock.”
Sylvie placed the ingredients on the counter. “Anaphylactic shock? Are you trying to scare me?”
“Sorry … I was just … never mind. I’ll measure the hedgenettles.” Georgia grabbed a measuring spoon and scooped the hedgenettles into a bowl. “What’s next?”
Sylvie twisted around Georgia and picked up the bacon. “I’ll separate the strips. How about you turn on the oven?”
“Sure.” Georgia stretched her free arm over.
Sylvie stared at the instructions.
Stuff the dates with the cheese and tightly wrap with bacon. Don’t allow anyone else to do the wrapping. Their thoughts will influence the spell. Once the dates have cooked and the sauce has thickened, recite the words “redictus miseris,” along with your name.
Sylvie stuffed and wrapped the dates, then slid them into the oven. “I’m going to start the sauce.”
Georgia nodded and picked up a sheet pan. “I’ll get my dates going.”
Sylvie poured the maple syrup into the frying pan and added the hedgenettles, stirring in a counterclockwise motion, just like the recipe said.
After a few minutes, the syrup began to thicken. A fragrant wisp of steam twisted into the air.
“Now for the woad,” said Sylvie, dropping in a pinch. The sauce hissed and bubbled. She checked the temperature. “It’s still on low. It must be the magic working.”
“I think you’re right,” said Georgia. “I bet it’s a good sign.”
Sylvie slipped on a pair of mitts and carefully pulled her bacon-wrapped dates out of the oven. Georgia slid hers in. “If I don’t find a scholarship, I can’t afford this school. So, I really hope this spell works!”
“It will,” said Sylvie.
The whole kitchen now smelled like Sunday breakfast.
Sylvie picked up a spoon. “I’ll drizzle the sauce and say the magic words. Then, it’s your turn.”
