We knew where the Hellgate was located. So what? Until the demons tried to break through, there wasn’t much we could do about it. And although Ishtar had insisted that she didn’t need Alex or me for such a chore, I wasn’t sure I believed her.
After all, she was a demon and untrustworthy by nature.
Still, I chose to believe that as long as we remained vigilant about protecting ourselves, and used every advantage we had, everything would be fine.
At least, that’s what we told ourselves.
The denial method usually worked, and time passed like it was any other school year. Actually, considering that we were in our Grind-year, it passedwayfreaking faster. Samhain, and with it, the Culling-year Samhain Trials, were approaching with astonishing rapidity. The traumatic flashbacks of that day, and wondering if the Culling students might repeat the horrors my class experienced, stressed me the heck out.
My anxiety might have also had something to do with the fact that the next Spy Games event was slated for shortly after Samhain.
Whatever the case, I was one hundred percent thankful for a Sunday in Wandstown with my friends. I needed a break from the books, my spymaster duties, and training for the Spy Games, if only for a few hours.
“Who’s up for Potions and Pastries Café?” Hunter rubbed his hands together, presumably at the thought of the café’s éclairs, his favorite dessert.
“Yes please,” I said.
We made our way to the café, which was open late to accommodate socializing before the Samhain Trial festivities took place the next day. Trial day was a rare freebie for most Grind and Crucible students, so we took advantage of it.
And we weren’t the only ones. Many people from the PIA were in town to view or work the trials. Almost all of the PIA agents stayed at the Wandstown Inn and supported the local economy heartily for the duration of their trip. After all, supernatural spies and spymasters, rarely got a night off. It was even more unusual that the humans who worked for the PIA were allowed into a place like Wandstown. They had to live it up while they could.
The moment we entered Potions and Pastries, a wave of cheer and the aromas of beer and wine floated over to greet us.
I grinned and caught Eva’s eye.Watch your guy,I mouthed, to which Eva rolled her eyes and looped her arm through Hunter’s.
There had to be at least twenty PIA employees here, and if she wasn’t careful, Hunter would try to schmooze every single one.
We snagged a table, and Miss Iris, the café owner, bustled over.
“Good to see you four out and about. It’s always a relief to know that students are surviving their Grind-year.” Miss Iris winked. “What can I get you?” Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and a smile played on her lips. She thrived on the hustle and bustle. Or maybe she was thrilled for the influx of cash the weekend would bring.
We ordered a pitcher of beer and a couple of desserts to share. Miss Iris delivered the pitcher within minutes. Once we’d served ourselves, a bout of inspiration hit me, and I held out my glass. “To not having to take part in the Samhain Trials.”
“Oh my God, preach,” Eva said, cheersing me vigorously. Everyone drank, and then, as if we finally realized that we could relax, we leaned back in our chairs.
“Holy shit, sitting here is the most amazing thing.” Hunter tilted his head back over the flower-patterned chair. “How have the last four months been the most difficult months of my life?”
“Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth,” Alex quipped.
Hunter’s head snapped up, but when he saw that Alex was grinning, he shook his finger at his cousin. “You—”
The guys began to banter, but I ignored it and twisted to Eva. “You holding up okay? Tomorrow’s the anniversary of . . .” My fingers traced the spot on my face where her scars were.
She released a heavy sigh. “Yeah. I’m okay. Taking it one day at a time. To be honest, so much has happened since then, it seems like . . .” She trailed off, at a loss for words.
“A different lifetime?” I suggested.
“Pretty much,” Eva held out her pint, and we saluted each other once more.
We’d just set our beers down when someone appeared at our table.
“Spellcasters students, am I right?” The man, who looked very familiar, stared down at me.
“Yup,” Eva replied. “Are you PIA?”
A smile broke on the man’s lips. “Here for the trials. We,” he hitched his thumb to indicate a table near the back, “knew Miss Iris’ father, and wanted to catch up with his daughter while in town. As usual, catch-up led to a beer and then another and another.” The man shook his head sheepishly. “You know how these things go.”
I smiled, still trying to place him. Hunter invited the guy, who introduced himself as Andrew, to sit. He obliged and ordered another pitcher of beer for the table. Miss Iris was just depositing the second pitcher and our desserts on the table when I snapped my fingers.
