Before we reached Hunter and Alex, someone called my name, and I twisted to find my friend Amethyst approaching.
“Hey girl,” I said, relieved to see a friendly face. A few peers, many who had congratulated me at the end of our Culling-year, were definitely serving me some side-eye.
“Hey, ladies! Looking good.” Amethyst’s brown eyes sparkled nearly as much as the shimmering black skirt she wore. “Are you excited about the feast tonight? I heard Headmistress Wake is going to reveal something huge.”
“I heard the same thing,” I said. “I guess it’s why we were told to come back so early.”
A large group of our peers walked by, and yet another person—Kira Johnston—gave me the stink eye. I sighed and Eva, catching the interaction, spoke up.
“The feast will start in a few minutes,” she said. “We should get going.”
She waved Hunter and Alex over, and the guys joined us. When we reached Agnes Sampson Hall, it was already packed. The staff, Crucibles, and the rest of our class sat at tables waiting. On the stage, Headmistress Wake was chatting with stout Professor Umbra of Conjuring. We were still scoping for open spots when an owl hooted through the halls, proclaiming the hour.
Amethyst said she’d catch us later, and flitted off to sit at a table with Mina Köhler, one of her closest friends. Not wanting to be standing around when the feast started, Alex, Hunter, Eva, and I approached a table on the far side of the room.
“Do you mind if we sit here?” I asked the two Crucible students who were already sitting there. I recognized them vaguely, but didn’t know their names.
The guy’s dark brown eyes opened wide, but the girl I’d pulled up a chair next to looked less surprised by our approach.
“Sure,” she said.
Once we’d settled in, she leaned close to me.
“I see that you’re already avoiding your fellow Grind students. Welcome to what it’s like to be head junior spymasters. I’ve been in the top spot for my class two years running, which has made meincrediblypopular, let me tell you.” She rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “I’m Sam Pines. Welcome to the club.”
“And I’m Andre Allen. It’s my first year as head junior spymaster, but I’m feeling the pain, too.” The guy smiled wide, and perfect, white teeth gleamed against his onyx skin.
“Odette,” I said, shaking their hands even as my heart sank.
Sam and Andre had been sitting by themselves. I already felt set apart from the rest of my class, and we’d only been here a few hours. Were things only going to get worse?
I didn’t have much time to ponder the question, because Headmistress Wake stepped up to the mic and cleared her throat. The gabbing crowd quieted instantly.
“Welcome back to Spellcasters.” She spread her arms wide, and everyone applauded. “It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces, all healthy and well. As we embark upon the next academic year, I’m pleased to say that we have exciting surprises in store.” She snapped her fingers.
The lights dimmed, and I chuckled. Headmistress Wake was stern and often uptight, but she had a tiny flair for the dramatic.
“Usually, I like to allow our students to feast before the evening speeches, but this year I need to prepare you for what’s to come. Forthisyear, at the end of the feast, I will ask you to make a choice.”
“A choice?” Eva whispered, as a curious murmur flew up from the crowd.
The headmistress clapped, and someone walked out from the side of the stage. I sat up straight in my chair, immediately recognizing the man dressed in a blood red cloak and black suit.
“Headmaster Ezra,” I whispered.
“Good evening, students.” Headmaster Ezra had stopped to stand next to Headmistress Wake, although his voice boomed over the hall without aid from the microphone. “I thank you for allowing me back to your lovely academy. Myself and Headmistress Wake have exciting news for the Grind and Crucible classes of Spellcasters.” He glanced at our headmistress.
She inclined her head. “Please, Ezra, do the honors.”
Even from where I sat near the back, the vampire’s long canines were visible when he beamed. Since their teeth weren’t normallythatpronounced, I figured he must be showing them off.
Which was kinda gross—and freaky.
“Thank you, Headmistress.” The vampire rubbed his hands together as if he were about to give us the treat of our lives. Then he flung his arms wide, and the cloak he wore billowed up behind him. “Ladies and gentlemen! The Society of Spies has been deliberating this event for decades, and has finally permitted the four United States spy schools to make it a reality.” He paused dramatically, and his smile grew wider. “I’m pleased to announce that this year, we shall hold the first inaugural Spy Games!”
Every muscle in my body stiffened. All around me, excited chatter rose, but it fell nearly as fast when Headmistress Wake clapped for silence.
Headmaster Ezra continued. “The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly rivalry and forge bonds between the four magical spy schools of the United States—Nightdwellers, Spellcasters, the Fae Academy of Elemental and Arcane Arts, and the Shifter Academy of Spies. But of course, there will be prizes too. Each champion from the winning school will receive $20,000, in addition to another little bonus.”
