We nodded.
“We go to UC Boulder,” I said and gave them a conspiratorial grin. “We just needed to get away from campus for the weekend. The mountains were calling, as they say.”
The foursome exchanged glances again. It was almost as if they were conferring with each other. I wondered if one was the alpha and could speak mind-to-mind with the others.
After their conference ended, the group moved toward us in unison. Their movements reminded me of prowling wolves, and the strong shifter vibe intensified. I shot Phoebe a glance and noticed that she looked a little wary.
“As a matter of fact,” Rita’s lips curled into a smile as the group paused next to our pool. “I do have suggestions. There are a few trails close to the town that are safe. We’ll leave a map of those at the front desk. But . . .” She pursed her lips playfully. “As college girls, you might have fun at our party tomorrow night. A lot of the town leaders are getting together for drinks and a good time.”
Her friends nodded, and Rita wiggled her eyebrows. “If you two are looking for the real Crescent Springs experience, we’d love to have you. There will be a lot of shifters there, romping under the full moon. Some of them young like you, and very handsome.”
“We’d love to come,” I said, hiding my shock at the invitation.
It wasn’t unheard of for magical species to mix, but being invited to a pack gathering when we’djustmet was odd. But since we were spies-in-training, oddities were welcome opportunities to investigate.
“Can we bring anything?” I asked.
“Oh no, girls. We’ll supply everything. You’ll be our honored guests. We want to show you a good time.” Rita pulled a tiny notepad out of the bag she carried, and jotted something down. “Here’s my address. The party starts at nine.”
I smiled and took the scrap of paper, praying to the universe that it was a lead.
Chapter Sixteen
After a day of searching fruitlessly for clues, we returned to the hotel to change into party attire. It was strange to be looking forward to a party in a strictly professional capacity, but as we hadn’t come across a single lead all day, I was beginning to see the get-together as our last shot.
More than anything, I wanted to find the item Spellcasters had sent us to Crescent Springs for, and return to the academy pronto. My fingers sought my protective talisman and I rubbed the pendant for comfort.
“I take it that’s more than the emblem they gave us when we were inducted into the Society of Spies?” Phoebe asked.
I knitted my brows together. “What makes you think that?”
“You’ve been wearing it almost all year, even when it didn’t go with your outfit. And I might not know you well, Odette, but I know you like to lookgood.”
Phoebe gave me a pointed look as she shimmied into tight leggings that she’d paired with a long, torso-hugging sweater. On the hem of the sweater, as if it were merely the emblem of the brand, was the pin Headmistress Wake had given us to use in case of an emergency. Phoebe looked put together, but not like she was trying too hard, and most important of all, not like a spy.
I nodded at her astute observation about the talisman. “Alex and I charmed it so that we’d know that the other is safe.”
Phoebe smiled. “I know Di hated seeing you guys together last year, but now that everything is cool between you two, I have to admit, you’re a cute couple. There’s something about you. It’s like you belong together.”
“Thanks.”
If Phoebe only knew the half of what was between Alex and me—an unexplainable connection that seemed to span centuries—she’d be gobsmacked.
Not wanting to think about M&M at that moment, I turned to pick out my outfit for the party.
Like Phoebe, I chose leggings and a loose tunic top that complemented my emergency pin. I almost went for a pair of ballet flats, but reconsidered and pulled out a pair of floral patterned slip-on sneakers that looked nice but were also comfortable. It was important for spies to be able to run.
“Ready?” Phoebe asked.
I nodded. “Let’s hit the town.”
Rita’s home was located a block away from the main street and buzzed like a million bees swarmed inside.
Phoebe leaned close as we approached the door. “So after we get the lay of the land, we call for a bathroom break, and then you’ll warp us into other rooms so we can inspect them, right?”
“Yup. We can’t stay in the bathroom forever, but it’s a good place to start.”
Phoebe nodded. Flying under the radar for as long as possible was a necessity. There was no way either of us could outrun or outfight a pack of shifters without some sort of advantage.
