“I was hoping you’d say that,” the headmistress said. “Clearly, other students know that you have been through difficulties, but they know little else on the matter. I would like to keep it that way.” She arched her brows.
Eva and I nodded. I didn’t really feel like spreading the word around that Ishtar, the Queen of Hell, could control me, or that Lucifer could control Eva. Or even that we could sense demons in our presence. Only our families, the Paranormal Intelligence Agency, and the Spellcasters instructors knew, which I preferred. Fitting in was already hard enough without being demon-touched.
“I also want you to know that we’ve enhanced the academy,” Headmistress Wake continued. “The number of wards we’ve set up on the grounds and within the school is unprecedented. As you may have noticed, I’ve reinforced the boundary gate myself. Visitors will be permitted on school grounds only if they have met certain, stringent requirements. Keep in mind—”
“That’s nice and all,” Alex said, uncharacteristically cutting her off. “But we’re in our Grind-year. We have to undertake missions off academy grounds, so it seems almost pointless to spend all this energy when we’ll be in danger, anyway.”
“I’ll ignore your rude interruption, Mr. Wardwell.” Headmistress Wake glared at Alex. “After all, you’ve been through a trying time, butdon’tlet it happen again.”
She resumed, addressing primarily Eva and me. “As I was about to say, the wards are not just for your safety. They are for the safety of all the students. We hope that if Mr. Alexander Wardwell and Miss Dane do not go on missions together, that threat will be lessened. As I recall, Alexander, you mentioned that the royals of Hell have made it clear that they want youandMiss Dane. Or am I wrong on that point?”
“We can’t be separated,” Alex said, his tone firm. I could practically feel the frustration vibrating off of him. “Odie and I have to stick together. That means going on our missions together.”
Headmistress Wake’s lips flattened. “I understand that you are an item and wish to look after one another, but honestly, Mr. Wardwell, I cannot allow such things. It’s much too risky—like putting a target on your backs. And seeing as this is your Grind-year, the trials before you will be risky enough.” She shook her head. “And then there’s another matter, of acertain eventtaking place at Spellcasters this year.”
“An event?” Hunter leaned forward, curious as ever. “Like the initiate trials? Or a dance?”
I refrained from rolling my eyes.Yeah, Hunter. She’s talking about a dance.
“You will learn of them tonight at the Grind and Crucible welcome feast.”
“Why can’t you tell us now?” Eva asked.
“It would be unfair to the rest of the students.” The headmistress looked as though she wished she hadn’t said anything at all. “As much as I believe that you—Miss Dane and Mr. Wardwell—are capable witches, on this point, I’m immovable. You will not be sent on missions together, and that is final. As I respect what you’ve been through, I wanted to be the one to tell you. And inform you that we’ll be doing everything in our power to keep you safe.”
“But we have to be together!” Alex shot out of his chair.
“Mr. Wardwell! Sit down this instant!”
“You don’t understand! Odie and I—”
Before he could press harder, I grabbed his arm and squeezed it tight. “It will be fine. Let’s go.” My gaze shifted to the headmistress. “Are we excused?”
Headmistress Wake gave an impressed nod at my unusual restraint. “Yes. That will be all.”
I stood and pulled a seething Alex behind me.
While it was sweet that he wanted to stay by my side, it would do no good to argue with the headmistress on the matter of our missions. She didn’t know that Alex and I were descendants of the famed wizard Merlin and Morgan Le Fay, the notorious witch who some believed was part fae. No one did, except Eva, Hunter, Alex, and me. Even after the queen of Hell branded me, we hadn’t told anyone else. It felt too private, and because we still weren’t sure how Morgan and Merlin—or M&M, as I thought of them—were related to all this, we wanted to keep it to ourselves.
At least for now.
Chapter Three
When we exited Headmistress Wake’s office, Diana was still waiting outside.
“That was fast.” Her eyes darted to each of us in turn.
“Yeah,” I glanced at Alex. With his fists clenched and his jaw tightened he looked ready to explode. I shifted my grip from his upper arm to the tight ball of his hand and squeezed. “Most of it, we expected. The rest . . . we’ll mull over.”
Diana took in the whole interaction with hawk-like intensity. “Right. Well, I guess it’s time to show you to your rooms.”
My eyebrows pulled together. We all knew the general location of the second year tower. I’d assumed they would label our rooms and entry would be voice-activated, like last year.
“Why do you need to show us the way?” Hunter asked, clearly on my wavelength.
Diana twirled her hands high in the air, once again indicating the wards. “Spymaster-level students have their own floor. Our level includes additional security to prevent jealous pranks from other students.”
My stomach dipped at the mention of jealousy. Few people had as much reason for others to be jealous of them as I did. I’d sucked at everything at the start of last year, and completed the term at the top of the class. And then there was the matter of my family’s influence and wealth—both often incited envy in others.
