“How would you know?” he spat. His jovial nature had vanished. He was terrified that we would uncover something we shouldn’t. “You saw that woman once, and you’re not PIA. You have no clearance.”
“That’s true,” I said simply. “But I’m acquainted with a lot of powerful witches. If I tell them that the PIA is lying about the fate of their kind, they might feel threatened. These witches are legends, and if they moved against the agency, otherswouldfollow.”
“What makes you think I’m lying?” Andrew’s hard eyes locked with mine.
“Because you said the witch left the PIA on her own two feet. But David Chena told me that she died.”
For a millisecond, I thought Andrew would try to defend himself, to claim that he was wrong, or try to burst through Hunter’s shield. So when he slammed his hands on the table and leaned back in his chair, it shocked the hell out of me.
“She’s as good as dead,” he muttered.
“Like she’s still ill?” I asked. “Not out of quarantine?”
Andrew twisted his neck to glance at his colleagues’ table. Still no one watched us, and when he turned to face us, Andrew looked relieved.
“Like she’s gone somewhere, and she’s not coming back. That witch was a top agent once, but times are changing at the agency. A few of our most skilled agents went rogue last year. We’ve found them all, and now they’re . . . somewhere.”
“Somewhere?” Hunter sounded incredulous. “Come on, man, if you’re gonna spill, be more specific.”
“I can’t tell you where because I don’t have that information. All I can say is they’re locked up. Probably for the better, if you ask me. Shit’s getting dark.”
I sucked in a breath, and my friends turned to me. “Remember during our internship how my parents mentioned some of their friends were missing?”
Eva’s blue eyes popped. “Oh my God. Do you think . . . ?”
I nodded. “Yup.”
“Why are they disappearing spies?” Alex asked Andrew. “Did they break the law?”
Andrew shook his head. “Not to my knowledge. It’s more like they went against the PIA. I don’t know their motives and I don’t intend to find out.” He perched his elbows on the table. “I’m telling you this not only because you’re four smart little shits, but because you should think twice before joining the agency. Leave the academy. Do something else—anythingelse. They won’t come after you then. Not like they will me.” A shadow fell over his eyes, and he took another swig of beer.
“Are you going to desert?” I whispered.
Andrew nodded. “As soon as the Samhain Trial is over. I felt like I owed it to the school to attend, seeing as how they opened my eyes to how the world really is. I told myself I wanted to do more to keep students like you safe. Maybe, though, I was really hoping someone would question me and allow me to pass on some info.” Andrew locked eyes with me. “Seriously, get out while you still can. Something dark is happening at the PIA. Good kids like yourselves don’t want anything to do with it.”
“Thanks. We’ll consider it,” I said, even though I knew we’d do the exact opposite.
My friends and I were already in too deep. Our only option was to attempt to understand the turmoil spinning around us. And once we figured out what was going on, we would move mountains to make it out alive.
We left Potions and Pastries shortly after Andrew. He’d made it clear that we should keep the information we’d learned secret. While that was sound advice, I had no intention of following it.
“Who do you think will let us use their phone?” I asked my friends as we strolled down an empty Wandstown street. “I would have asked Miss Iris, but the chances of the other agents overhearing was too great. Still, my parents need to be informed.”
“Mine too,” Alex agreed. “Let’s try the Wandstown Tavern. I’ve been there before with my parents, and the owner, Jamal, seems like a good guy.” He led the way, and after entering the Tavern, waved at someone right away. “He’s over there. Let’s go talk to him.”
As soon as we approached, Jamal embraced Alex like a son. After that, it was only a matter of a little small talk before I felt comfortable asking to use the phone to call my parents. My request made Jamal clutch his heart.
“I find it so cruel that Spellcasters doesn’t allow students to speak with their families.” He shook his head as he gestured for us to follow him to the back.
“So many kids come in here, nearly broken by the academy, and needing a slice of home. A poor Culling-year girl was in here earlier today and positively frantic over the Samhain Trials.” Jamal’s lips pressed together. “I can’t imagine that I’m the only shop in town letting kids break the rules.”
Asking a Wandstown business if I could use their phone had never crossed my mind before tonight. Apparently, I was in the minority.
“Well, thanks for letting us use it,” Alex said as Jamal funneled us into this office. “We’ll be quick.”
Jamal threw a dismissive wave. “Take all the time you need.”
He left us, and my friends made themselves comfortable while I dialed.
