Eva was the funniest and most badass person I’d ever met.
“And then,” she continued her story, “I dressed in all black, went into my parents’ room, and rearranged everything in their sleep! I even moved their underwear into the shower! After freezing them, of course.” She chuckled and shook her head. “They were so pissed, but honestly, they had it coming. I’d been talking about that trip non-stop for a week!”
I howled, imagining a sixteen-year-old Eva plotting revenge on the parents who’d sprung training exercises on her the day that she’d planned a trip to a theme park with her friends.
Eva grinned, delighted to have entertained me so well. “So, what about you? Did your parents make you do anything crazy to prepare for Spellcasters?”
“I wish! No, they pretended that this place didn’t exist. I had to pull the ‘I’m an adult now and will do it whether or not you want me to’ card.” I looked out over the lake we’d chosen to chill next to after meandering the academy grounds for hours. So far, it was perfect—if a little quiet. “Where do you think everyone is, anyway?”
Eva ripped a hunk of grass out of the ground and tossed it into the air. The green threads danced on a current of yellow magic, until she released her hold and they fell into the lake. “They’re probably spending time with their families while they still can. There’s a little supernatural town around here—Wandstown. I bet some went there to hang out and get last-minute supplies.”
“What about the second and third years?”
“Oh, I saw some of them when I was exploring this morning. They’re already training. I guess they don’t call our second year ‘the Grind’ for nothing. Apparently, a whole month off can make people rusty.” She rolled her eyes.
Training already? Wow. Everyone seemed über-serious here.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d used my magic. My parents preferred that I completed tasks using my fortitude. And to be honest, I didn’t feel the need to use magic all the time. Especially during senior year, when I’d been preoccupied with graduating high school, theater, hanging with my friends, and . . .
I sat straight up. “I know what this place needs!”
“Go on . . .” Eva leaned forward.
“A party! We should set up a first year mixer. It would be theperfectice-breaker!”
Eva bit her lip as if she was mulling over what I said. “I guess so. But I think our classmates may surprise you, Odette. I’ve met a few of them over the years, and they’re not very social. And many of them are crazy competitive.”
My interactions with Diana and Alex were prime examples, but I refused to believe that everyone else wasthatstandoffish. “Well, we’re all in a new place, which makes things weird. Plus, when parents are around, sometimes people act differently. I think we should ask Headmistress Wake if we can set up an optional party after the orientation dinner!” I leapt up and held a hand out to Eva.
The trepidation that had lined my new friend’s face vanished. “Maybe you’re right.”
Eva knew where Headmistress Wake’s offices were, so she led the way through wide hallways, all lined with artwork, or outfits worn by spies from previous eras. Unlike the corridors that led to our dormitories, it seemed that the rest of Spellcasters was more of an experience rather than an education.
We turned down a dark hall, and I stopped short in front of a mannequin. “Oh my God, Eva, do you see this?”
The gown before me was one of the most gorgeous items of clothing I’d ever seen. Red as a crushed raspberry, with dark crimson threading decorating the cinched-in bodice, the dress was soft as goose-down to touch. The skirt bloomed out so large that both Eva and I could crouch beneath it together. The bottom of the skirt was trimmed with an intricate, red lace pattern I’d never seen before.
“Whose is it?” Eva asked.
I read the plaque, barely visible behind the large skirt.
“Ursula Shipton.” My eyes trailed down the lettering, taking in every word. “Holy crap! She was a spy for her coven.”
Witches and wizards had been spies for centuries for their own means. Only after WWI did certain governments discover our existence and seek our services.
“That’s amazing. I can’t wait until we start classes and get access to the library.” Eva’s face lit up.
I loved that she was such a mismatch. Part of her was a clear bookworm and wanted to know everything about archaeology and history. The other part was sassy and rebellious.
“If it has stuff like this in there, I’m with you,” I agreed.
A squeal of hinges echoed somewhere down the hall, and we jumped back, away from the gown. Footsteps followed, multiple sets, and I heard familiar voices.
“I’m just not sure our money is being put to the best use, considering . . . everything,” Mom said.
There was a cough, and Headmistress Wake piped up. “Rest assured, Mrs. Dane, we have used the funding you provided to beef up security around the academy. We’ve even—”
“Lauren has a point though, Priscilla. We didn’t read the instructions you sent Odette, and entered Spellcasters without issue. There’s been no update on the charms on the road, and the password is even the same as it was years ago. Taking into account the first years’ predicament, don’t you think some safeguards should be changed?”
