“Is that all, Headmistress?” I asked and prepared to rise.
“Actually, Miss Dane, I have one more question.
My stomach clenched. “Yes?”
“You were at the Crucible party, correct?
I nodded.
“Rumor has it, you saved a student. Thank you for your bravery. Spellcasters is indebted to you for that.”
“Thank you, but if they’d been able to, others would have done the same.”
“Perhaps,” she said and pressed her lips together briefly. “Other students mentioned that the Dark Court of Faerie took responsibility for those actions. Did you hear such rumors?”
“I did. A fae who attacked me said the same thing, so I believe it.”
The headmistress nodded, and her gaze dipped to my ankle.
Suddenly, I knew what was coming. I couldn’t believe that I didn’t expect it sooner.
“Considering all the strange portals and otherworldly interference that have been prevalent lately, I must ask, did your demon-touched scar hurt when the fae were present?”
“No. And to be honest, I don’t understand that.”
The headmistress tilted her head. “Hmm. It does seem like they should be linked, doesn’t it?” She paused and exhaled a soft sigh. “And there is nothing else, about that night or any other, that you wish to inform me of?”
The ghost possessing Amethyst was the obvious choice, but I couldn’t tell the headmistress that, it would put Amethyst’s life in danger.
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
Headmistress Wake studied me as if I was an interesting specimen she’d never seen before, then nodded and waved her hand toward the door. “Thank you for your time, Miss Dane. I’ll send instructions pertaining to your departure very soon.”
After dinner that night, Headmistress Wake summoned me to the foyer of Spellcasters. Knowing I had little time, I found Eva, Hunter, and Alex in the spymaster’s study area, and said my goodbyes.
“She said that this year our missions might last up to four days, so I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” I hugged first Eva and then Hunter. “Take good notes for me, okay?”
“You know the notes are all on Alex,” Eva waved her hand dismissively and pointed to her temple. “I keep my knowledge locked up tight. No need for a bajillion notes.”
I laughed. “Hear that, babe?” I wrapped my arms around Alex’s trim, muscular waist.
“You can count on me, sweets,” Alex said. Our lips met in a kiss. When we broke apart, Alex grinned. “Come back safe to us, okay?”
I nodded and descended the stairwell.
I didn’t see Phoebe in the common area, so I assumed she was already in the entryway. My hunch was proven right a few minutes later when I entered the academy foyer and found the headmistress, Phoebe, and oddly enough, Professor de Spina waiting for us.
I eyed the handsome, young Demonology professor. “Any last tips?”
He chuckled. “Unfortunately not. But Headmistress Wake requested that I look at your mark before you leave. She would like me to make sure it hasn’t changed since the last time we examined it.”
Inwardly, I groaned.
Professor de Spina or a healer from the infirmary had been checking on my scar every two weeks since the beginning of term. It was routine and often over quickly, so I didn’t think much of it, but for some reason, Professor de Spina’s presence here bugged me. It made me think that Headmistress Wake didn’t believe I was telling the truth about the night at the King’s Castle. Plus, Phoebe was looking at me all weird now.
It was pretty common knowledge that Ishtar had touched me, although few people knew what it meant because it had happened so rarely in history. I doubted Phoebe would ask me about it, but she’d probably grill Diana when we returned.
Way to alienate me even more, guys,I thought as I pulled up the leg of my pants and placed my foot on the step.
