Although Mr. Pudeator seemed far past caring if anyone heard what he had to say, he nodded and marched out of the facility with his wife trailing behind him, and Phoebe following reluctantly a second later.
“Whoa,” I breathed. “What are the chances we’ll see Phoebe tomorrow?”
Eva bit her lip. “Who knows? With the way things are going around here, that question applies to everyone.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
We didn’t see Phoebe the next day. Or Olivia, who apparently hadrequestedthat her parents come get her. That left our class at an even twenty-six taking part in the Beltane Trial. One year at Spellcasters, and we were down five students.
And rumor has it the Grind will be even worse.I shuddered at the thought and nearly poked my eye out with my mascara wand.
“Don’t think about it,” Eva said, her voice terse as she applied blush to her cheeks.
I didn’t answer, and a second later, Eva sighed. “You’re right. Who am I kidding? What do you think they’ll throw at us?” A blood vessel twitched at her temple.
I bit my lip, taking in the lines of stress on my friend’s face. We all had a right to be worried about the trial, but after what Eva had gone through I would understand her extreme anxiety.
I hoped that they paired her with someone strong and calm.
“Probably not demons,” I offered, and Eva’s shoulders loosened.
“So that leaves black witches, vamps, shifters, or fae.” She counted them off on her fingers, and her lips smooshed to the side.
“Humans?” I asked.
Eva snorted. “Too easy.”
A knock sounded on Eva’s door.
“That must be the guys,” she said, spritzing herself with perfume and going to get the door.
Hunter and Alex appeared a moment later, both dressed in jeans and sports jackets.
“Hey, babe,” I said, standing on tiptoe so I could kiss Alex, who dipped to meet my lips.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he replied as we broke away. “You look stunning. Are you ready?”
I shrugged. “As ever.” I tried to keep the anxiety out of my voice.
For hours, I’d been obsessing over what the ball of light had said—that we should stick together. Soon we would discover our Beltane Trial partner. While I knew that it would be a little too perfect if we were partners, I still held onto a shred of hope.
“We only have five minutes before they close the doors,” Eva said, glancing at the clock on her wall.
Hunter grabbed her hand, and a bit of the anguish on her face vanished. Although I wasn’t sure if it was wise for Hunter to be Eva’s partner—he was too likely to put himself in danger to save her—I sort of hoped he was anyway. After what happened on Samhain, Eva deserved an easy Beltane.
Unfortunately, nothing ever came easy at Spellcasters.
The pre-Beltane Trial feast took place in Kyteler Hall, the little sister to the Agnes Sampson Hall. It was far less grand, but had the distinct advantage of windows that looked out into the woods, which I found calming.
“No upperclassmen?” I asked, glancing around.
There were only six large tables laid simply for dinner, with three tapered candles at various lengths, and plain white serveware.
“Looks like it,” Alex said, squeezing my hand.
“Initiates! Please take your seats,” Professor Umbra called from the table farthest from the door.
A few of our regular professors and Headmistress Wake sat beside her. Each instructor wore strange, black robes very unlike their normal garb.
