“It seems,” my mother said, her eyes on me, “that the Wardwells have had a bit of a family feud for the last few decades. One side of the family has been allowed to attend Spellcasters, while the other side has been barred from admittance.”
“The school has barred our branch of the family tree,” John said. “However, after last night, I believe the academy should allow my son to test. He saved a sorcerer spy when none of the PIA healers, Alice, or I could. We’ve been training him as if he would attend for two years. Healing is his most advanced magical discipline, but I would wager to guess that he is among your best students in many others too.”
My stomach tightened. John’s words sounded like a challenge. I’d always thought of myself as being one of the top incoming students, if notthetop. And yet, despite the fact that I had an inkling Alex would give me a run for my money, I wanted him to attend the academy.
I was competitive, but I also liked a challenge.
My hand found Mother’s arm. “You have to let him try. He saved Father.”
Across the table Alex’s blue eyes widened at my show of support.
“I’m aware of that, Diana. However, there are other matters to take into account. Like how admitting the boy would go against the contract Headmaster Bell signed at the school’s inception,” she paused, her lips pursed in an expression that indicated she was weighing out the pros and cons of a choice.
The pressure in the air mounted, and Alex squirmed in his seat as Mother’s dark eyes appraised him.
Finally, Mother’s expression softened. “But I believe you’re right. This boy earned a spot at the entrance examination. And should he pass it, then he is Spellcasters material. This branch of the Wardwell family may consider their banning null from this time forward.”
Alice clapped her hands, and the tension in John’s face melted.
“What happens if I don’t pass the tests?” Alex asked. It was the first time he’d spoken since I entered the room.
Mother stared at him, her gaze unyielding. “If you do not pass the examinations, then I will have no reason to allow you into Spellcasters. Unless a student claims the legacy route, which you cannot do, theymustpass the three entry exams. So, might I suggest when you show up at the academy later this week, you bring your ‘A’ game if you truly want to attend.” She cleared her throat and her eyes shifted to Alex’s parents. “I hope you’ll understand. I appreciate you saving my husband’s life, but there is only so much I can push the needle. Icannotallow an unprepared young adult to join the halls of Spellcasters. It would be doing my country a disservice.”
My mind flitted to Jackson, who I was sure hadn’t excelled in his testing. I suspected he’d only been admitted because his parents, legacies in their own right, donated large sums to the academy. I would never contradict Mother in front of the Wardwells, but it would definitely be wrong if Alex didn’t get accepted after Jackson weaseled his way into Spellcasters.
John’s fists clenched into a tight ball. “There’s no need for concern. You’ll soon see for yourself that my son is the best thing to ever hit Spellcasters Spy Academy.”
Chapter Five
“Tabitha! Phoebe!” I ran across the lawn towards the cherry red car coming up Spellcasters’ driveway. My best friends stuck their hands out the windows and waved.
“Di!” Phoebe exclaimed when they got closer. “I can’t believe we’re here!”
I beamed at them, so happy to see them for the first time since we graduated high school two weeks ago. “Did your parents let you borrow that car, Tabby?”
Tabitha Goode, one of my best friends since I was young, twirled her long black hair around her finger and gave me a sly smile. “Nope. This is a ‘welcome to Spellcasters’ gift. They’re positive that I’m a sure thing.”
I had little doubt that she was right. Both Tabitha and Phoebe were descendants of Salem witches, a prestigious claim in the witching community. Their parents were also alumni of Spellcasters and retired spies turned wealthy entrepreneurs. Knowing what to expect, the Goodes and Peudators had trained Tabby and Phoebe nearly as rigorously as I had trained.
“Sweet!” I said. “I was gonna ask Mother to let us borrow some school bikes to get to Wandstown, but this iswaybetter.”
“What do you say we head straight there?” Phoebe slapped the side of the car. “We didn’t have anything planned inside, did we?”
I glanced back at the school. Since we’d come home two days ago Father had been recovering in our family suite. Guilt shot through me at the idea of leaving him, but just yesterday he’d insisted that my friends should still come to celebrate my birthday before the entry exams took place. Even if he couldn’t take us all out like we had planned, he still wanted me to have fun. Like always, he wanted what was best for me and for me to live my life to the fullest.
I pasted a smile on my face. “Nope, my parents will still be here when we get back.” Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the cash Father had given me to blow in Wandstown. “Good thing I brought this outside with me.” I waved the two Benjamins in front of my friends’ faces.
Both their mouths fell open.
“Well, get in, Wake!” Tabitha revved her engine. “We’ve got a lot of celebrating to do!”
“I just don’t understand why a guy always has to be a hot bad boy, a hot super nerd, a hot jock, or a hot Prince Charming.” Tabitha rolled her eyes as we exited the movie theater after a double feature full of licorice, popcorn, and sodas as big as our heads. “It’s stereotyping at its worst! I mean I’ve never met a guyexactlylike any of those.”
Phoebe chuckled, which only incensed Tabitha further.
“I mean honestly, though, have you ever met a guy that was so one way or the otherandhot? That’s another thing. Why is it that absolutely no teenagers in the movies are ever just average looking?” Tabitha arched an eyebrow, daring us to contradict her.
As usual, I took the bait. “Actually . . . I might have met someone straight out of the movies.”
