The tutoring session began, and it quickly became obvious that Andre was atotalbeginner. After only twenty minutes, the professor asked me to demonstrate making warpholes from one side of the room to the other, while he described the intricacies of the magic to Andre.
It was interesting to hear warping taught in this way. I had made my first warphole through sheer force of will, and had never had to think about it in such technical terms. I’d learned during my summer internship that my hands-on experience put me squarely in the minority among warpers. Many preferred a methodical approach, but not me. I always sensed my way through making a warphole.
This personal preference was yet another reason why I wasn’t keen on teaching Alex how to create warpholes. He was much more technical. Plus, there was a lot of inherent risk when creating them. What if he tried my method and injured himself? Or worse, lost his mental faculties?
When we’d reached the end of our session, Professor Tittelbaum set the next class for two weeks out, and Andre and I left Alice Kyteler Hall together. As soon as the doors closed behind us, he turned to me.
“You make it look so easy. What’s your secret?”
I grinned, pleased by the compliment, even though it wasn’t easy at all. It had taken me months to get where I was, and I still found it very difficult to warp to sites unseen.The farther away, the harder it became.
“An amazing summer internship where I practiced, practiced, practiced.”
His face fell. “I was afraid you’d say that.”
“The best tip I can give you is to listen to your body. Professor Tittelbaum has never mentioned it—he likes to be by the book—but I feel how to warp in my body and soul. I still have a lot of work to do, but each time is a little easier than the last.”
Andre sighed. “That’s something, I guess.”
We made our way down the hall until we reached the corridor where we’d split.
“You did well today,” I said. “See you around.”
“Thanks for your help.” Andre grinned.
I took a few steps up the stairs, only to pause when Andre spoke again.
“Hey! The Crucibles are having a party tomorrow night. Wanna come? Bring your friends too, if you want. I think Diana plans on stopping by. We could talk about the Spy Games a little.”
Something in me seized, and it didn’t take a genius to understand why. The last time I’d been invited to a party at the King’s Castle, the ridiculous name that the Crucibles gave their fancy dorm, a classmate had died.
But surely that wouldn’t happen again. Not with all the wards the academy had put in place.
Everything will be fine.
“Sooooo, is that a no?” Andre asked, and I realized that we’d been standing there, him staring at me, and me mentally running through a lot of doom and gloom.
I shook my head. “Sorry. It’s a yes. It’s just, when you mentioned a party, I—”
“You thought of that kid they found dead in the woods last year,” Andre finished for me.
“Yeah.” I cocked my head. “Were you there too?”
“I left before all that shit went down. Sam was there, though. She’s my best friend and told me about it afterward.” He shook his head. “So messed up.”
For some reason, maybe because I had hit my max of secrets for the day, the truth burned its way up my throat, and I blurted it out before I could second guess myself.
“That thing that killed Efraim was looking for me . . . or maybe my boyfriend, Alex.” I paused, feeling relieved but also slightly dumb because Andre was staring at me with wide eyes. “I thought you should know, since we’ll be participating in dangerous games together. Demons want us for . . . reasons.”
“Reasons you know?”
I shook my head, which was a partial truth. I knew bits, but not everything.
Andre continued to stare at me, and it was almost to the point of becoming really uncomfortable when he shrugged. “Well, they’ll already be hammering us during the Spy Games. What’s a few demons added to the pile? I’m sure we can take them on.” He flexed ludicrously, making me laugh.
His lips curved up. “That’s better. Things were getting a little too serious for my liking.” He turned and walked away. “See you tomorrow, Dane. You’d better have your party hat on.”
“Will do,” I called back, and made my way to the Green Tower.
