Chapter Two
The moment I walked through the double doors of Spellcasters, I knew I’d made the right choice.
Growing up in Hollywood with parents who were well-respected film producers meant that I’d spent a lot of time on set. I’d seen many amazing productions created and walked through scenes pulled straight out of the storybooks.
Butnoneof that compared to Spellcasters.
The entry hall was cavernous, its ceiling soaring at least fifty feet high to dome at the top in an intricate display of latticed wood. Light filtered through stained-glass windows depicting serene scenes from nature. Past the entry hall, two staircases split and spiraled up three stories. Between the staircases hung an enormous green and silver banner of a prophetess, the Spellcasters emblem. Moving back down, my eyes trailed a ways along each landing, trying to make out the paintings that hung at regular intervals on the walls.
“Whenever you’re ready, Dane.”
I jumped, the voice slicing through my dreamy wonder. Diana waited at the bottom of the staircase that veered left, her foot tapping and brilliant blue eyes gleaming.
“Oh my God!” Heat flushed my cheeks as I realized I’d stopped in the middle of the foyer to stare with my mouth hanging open. “I’m so sorry. I’m just taking it all in. Who wouldn’t be impressed withthis?”
Diana shrugged. “My mother’s been the headmistress here for the last fifteen years. I don’t remember the first time I saw Spellcasters. To me, this has always been home.”
Well, duh. Priscilla Wake had become the headmistress of Spellcasters Spy Academy when I was around three or four years old. Although the histories said nothing about a daughter, here she stood, in my year.
“Of course,” I said, joining Diana and noticing that she smelled of soap, the most basic kind. “I’m sorry. I’m being such an idiot. It’s just that I’ve wanted this for years and now I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Diana nodded, turned, and walked up the stairs. “Come with me.”
We climbed to the third floor and made our way down a long, wide hallway. Many of the paintings on this level depicted notable witches and wizards who had been spymasters during their time.
It was strange to see witching history on display. In the real world, magicals hid their existence from humans. Only in the last couple generations did global governments discover that we existed.
“So, growing up here must have been interesting, huh? I bet you’ve seen a lot of cool stuff. People always ask me about living in Hollywood. They think it’s unique and glamorous, but this is so much more impressive.”
Diana’s beak-like nose wrinkled for a millisecond before her face smoothed out into an unreadable expression.
“It was an intriguing place to grow up,” she answered, her tone flat. “I learned a lot and finagled some early training. Did you do much of that in Hollywood?”
Early training? In what? I hoped she didn’t mean running or some other horrible type of cardio. I’d never stepped foot on a track, but I’d seen others running around them. It looked like hell.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I confessed.
“Oh, that’s right. My mother mentioned that you opted for the legacy route. Probably no training for you, then.”
I cocked my head. “Did you take the entrance exam? But you’re a legacy too.”
Diana snorted, and for the first time since we climbed the stairs, her bright blue eyes locked with mine. “Why would I want to be here if I didn’t possess the skills necessary to succeed?”
“Because there have been spots for both of us since we were born?” My eyebrows furrowed. Why would someone take a test—one that I’d heard was beyond difficult—if their spot in the academy was a sure thing?
“Yes, well, some of us aren’t used to the ‘I’ll pat your back if you pat mine’ mentality. I thought it best to test myself and make sure Iearnedmy spot.”
Whoa, judgy much?
“You know, I really don’t believe—”
Diana halted before a doorway and spoke over me. “Here’s the initiates’ tower. Bedrooms are on the upper levels. You’ll find your level on a paper pinned to the stairwell.”
“Err . . . okay. Thanks,” I said, thrown off-kilter by her vibe.
“Don’t mention it,Legacy.” Diana turned and strutted down the hallway.
I frowned. What a bummer of a welcome. I couldn’t enter my dorm with a storm cloud like this hanging over my head.
