My eyebrows knitted together. I’d never said a word to the alpha headmaster. And yet, he had been upset for me?
Dasha gave me a small smile. “Alpha Conan has a strong sense of justice. Congratulations, by the way. Despite half your team nearly dying of poisoning you guys killed it. Something that I heard was because of your skill?”
My cheeks warmed. “Andre helped. He’s a warper too. We would have never stood a chance against the other teams’ strength or speed otherwise.”
I looked around. Everyone else was chatting, but the vampires were still missing.
“Where are the Nightdwellers champions?”
No sooner had I asked than the vampires marched into the courtyard. Simone was in the front, sneering, and Francis looked nearly as pissed off. Anton and Magdalena followed their more showy teammates, their gazes downcast. But it was Headmaster Ezra’s expression that shocked me the most. The joviality that I expected from him was gone. His face was a mess of hard lines and rigid planes.
Dasha leaned close. “Headmistress Cristala heard what happened too. She wouldn’t let the vampires into the castle without athoroughbody check.”
A laugh snorted out of me. “No way.”
“Yes way. They searched us too, but just a quick pat-down. Alpha and Headmistress Cristala are sort of friends, so there’s some trust there.”
“No one searched us. I wonder why?”
Dasha rolled her eyes. “I don’t. Your headmistress isterrifying. The other heads of the schools know that she’ll keep you guys in line much better than they ever could.”
“Touché,” I said just as Headmistress Cristala clapped to get everyone’s attention.
“Once again, I’d like to welcome the participants of the Spy Games to the Academy of Elemental and Arcane Arts.” Her eyes twinkled, reminding me of Ms. Seeley. “We are honored to host the second round of the Games and introduce the champions to more of our kind. However, I have a surprise.”
My spine straightened.
“As you all know, the participating spy academies seek to make the challenges they host unique and memorable. Well, I can think of no better way to do so than what I have planned for you.” Headmistress Cristala glided toward the water fountain. When she got there, she stepped up onto the edge and grabbed a stone branch of the tree that was spouting off water. She yanked it down, and the branch bent in half. There was a loudclick,and the sound of moving gears tore through the enchanting harp music.
“There was a reason we asked you to come earlier than expected,” the fae headmistress beamed. “You will probably need a day and a night to fully acclimate to the environment of the next event.”
“And that would be?” Simone spat out, clearly over the fae’s presentation—or maybe she was still pissed about being searched like a criminal.
Headmistress Cristala’s lips pulled up in a brilliant smile, and she pulled the stone branch down just a little more.
The trunk of the tree in the fountain opened, and a gate appeared over the water. A blast of light emanated from inside the tree, and a strange, otherworldly aura that made me feel lightheaded seeped into the courtyard.
Shockingly, Diana gripped my hand with a gasp.
“Whoa,” I breathed, as Headmistress Cristala’s implication became clear.
We were heading to Faerie.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The moment we stepped into Faerie, I understood why Headmistress Cristala deemed it necessary that we arrive early. Right away, my head spun as if I were drunk, and the skin on my arms tingled strangely.
“What some of you are no doubt feeling are the effects of Faerie magic,” Headmistress Cristala said after Howley face-planted upon crossing into the other realm. “Move slowly and breathe. A nap is advisable during your first few hours here. The calmer you are, the faster the effects of Faerie will wear off.”
A hand grabbed my shoulder to keep from falling, and I turned to find Diana clinging to me.
“This is wild,” she said, blinking hard. “I mean, a little freaky too, because I can’t see straight, but as long as it gets better soon, who cares?”
I had to agree. The fae rarely allowed witches, shifters, and vampires into Faerie. We had to be the first since . . . I frowned. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d heard about a delegation of mixed magicals being permitted into Faerie.
Seeking an answer, I twisted to find Headmistress Wake, and gawked. Her spine was still ramrod straight as she chatted with the other heads of the academies. Faerie’s magic wasn’t affecting her at all.
“Headmistress Wake?” I called, and cringed at how loud my voice had come out.
