“But then you’d know if you’re stuck here. Although I guess youwant that with the robes and all…” Maggie looked oddly resolved, even though everything in Dan said this experiment was a terrible idea.
“If I agree to do this, then we can go to the castle?” Dan actuallydidwant to know about his magic, especially if he had to go before the Congress of Magic tomorrow.
“Sure.” Ellie started walking toward Crenshaw.
The path back wasn’t overly long, and once they got past the woods, Dan felt like he could relax.
When they reached the edge of the open space around the castle, Ellie came to a full stop. She nodded toward the tree that now stood beside her balcony. “It’s still there.”
“The castle is like a fairy tale,” Dan murmured.
Maggie gave him a dangerous smile. “Lacks thorns.”
Ellie laughed. “Maybe I ought to add them. Make it clear that I’m too much trouble to try to keep me here.”
“Berries. There’s no berries here.” Maggie looked like she was enjoying this far too much.
And all Dan could think was, “Please don’t let me get expelled.”So he said, “But you already proved you can make that. Chains, too. Don’t you want to try something else?”
Maggie deflated slightly.
“Clean water.” Ellie nodded. “I just want a bath that doesn’t smell like eggs.”
“Pool?” Dan suggested. “Hot springs?”
Ellie closed her eyes; she’d done that in class when she was envisioning the chains that nearly choked them all. Dan flinched a bit at the memory, but in front of them was a small opening in the earth. As he watched, it grew to be a size slightly smaller than an Olympic pool.
“Now,” Maggie whispered. She gestured toward Ellie. “Her shoulder.”
Dan reached up and rested his hand on her shoulder. He felt a slight buzz in his skin, but that was it. It didn’tfeellike he was really doing anything. But as he looked at the pool, it suddenly lined with whatappeared to be white tiles, and crystal-clear water burbled out of the ground like a fountain and splashed into the pool. Steam rose from it.
“What in the hell are you three doing?”
Sondre stomped out of the castle door. Dan jerked back at the sight and sound of the headmaster, and Maggie raised her rock just as Ellie muttered, “Done.”
Then Ellie tumbled to the ground, seemingly unconscious.
“Well, shit,” Maggie muttered.
Dan offered as an answer of sorts, “Experimenting?”
Seeing Sondre looking so angry made Dan step back. At the same time, Maggie stepped forward, placing herself between the headmaster and the unconscious woman. “I was trying to look after my friend.” She gestured to Ellie. “Care to help? Those muscles of yours ought to be good for something other than trying to look intimidating.”
Dan winced, but Sondre’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I’ll carry her to her room,” Sondre said. “You two get inside. You know you aren’t to leave the castle without perm—”
Maggie walked up to him and jabbed his chest with her index finger. “I’m a grown-ass woman, Headmaster. Nomantells me what to do, even if he is wearing a dress.”
“Robe,” Dan corrected her. “These are robes.”
But she was already headed inside.
Sondre gave him a friendly wink. “Inside, Monahan. I’ll be by to speak to each of you once I get this one settled.”
Dan scurried after Maggie, who looked at him and said, “Told you.”
Then she was gone, and Dan headed to his room.
