Sondre did not say that he was putting his own safety at risk, but if he was the source of that magic, Dan heard the truth all the same. The headmaster was standing between them and whatever dangers were outside Crenshaw Castle. Extension magic had been addressed in a book Dan read last Thursday.
Sondre added, “You are safewithin the castle.You can gather in the common areas and continue to enjoy the library freely since you’ve found it, but no one leaves the castle until I tell you that it’s safe. Please notify any witch you encounter.”
“Safe?” Dan echoed. “Are we expecting to be under attack?”
“Perhaps, Mr. Monahan. The barrier that hides our world was taken down this morning.” Sondre paused as murmurs rippled around the library.
“How?” Dan pressed. “And what does it mean?” The barrier was obviously another case of extension magic. “If the barrier fell, is Lord Scy—”
“Hush.” Sondre pinched the bridge of his nose like he could chase a headache away. “It means that you all stay in the castle in case we can’t get it fixed beforetheyfind Crenshaw.” He made a summoning gesture at Dan. “It also means I need you in the infirmary to help Dr. Jemison.”
“Can’t Lord Scylla maintain the barrier?” Axell asked.
“Lord Scylla is in the infirmary,” Sondre said. “Her house will dowhat they can.” Sondre’s gaze swept the room, and for a moment, Dan was relieved that this man was the one who would keep them safe.
“Don’t test this rule,” Sondre said, voice stern in a way that made every eye in the room fix on him. “Lord Scylla was gravely injured. In case you haven’t heard rumors, there are factions in Crenshaw, and one of them just declared war.”
“War?” someone echoed in a strained voice.
“If any of you are considering being siphoned, now is a good time to request that.” Sondre glanced at Axell pointedly, and his gaze stayed there long enough that everyone had to notice. “Some of you could be siphoned easily.
“Others could not survive it.” Sondre’s gaze then fell on Sam, who shrugged as if this was of no interest. “Whatever you choose, know that you are safer in the castle than out of it.”
Axell reached out and took Dan’s hand. Quietly, he said, “I made amistake,Daniel. I am not leaving here.”
Dan squeezed his hand back. “I don’t want you to leave.” Despite both of their insecurities, Dan thought they had a shot at a real connection. “Stay with me, and—”
“Monahan,” the headmaster called out. “Let’s go. The rest of you ought to be in class, not frittering in the library. Go on.”
To Dan’s surprise, Axell wove his fingers between Dan’s and said, “I go where you go.”
The headmaster looked at their hands and shrugged. “He wants to fail classes, that’s on him. However, he can’t go inside the infirmary. Essential personnel only. That’s you, Monahan, not your boyfriend.”
That was all Sondre said, though. He pushed open the library door and marched down the hall. The headmaster was often gruff, but he was exceptionally so today. The thought ofwarmade Dan shiver, but knowing that Sondre was what stood between the school and threat made that fear ebb somewhat. Whatever else anyone could say about the man, he was both brave and intimidating.
“We will protect our home,” Axell said, keeping pace with Dan as they trailed after Sondre. “I will be here at your side.”
Dan glanced at Axell’s elbow. “No more ofthat? It’s not in this world, so if that’s what you want…”
“You’re all the drug I need.” Axell gave him a look that was far more pulse-quickening than he ought to be able to manage. “Say the word, and I’ll show you.”
Face burning, Dan looked away. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to cross that line, but every other man who’d been in his bed had been just a hookup. What if that was because he was disappointing? What if he was too skinny? Too sickly? Too boring? He wanted to be sure that whatever this was between them, it was real.
But Axell wasn’t used to rejection.
If I say yes, will his interest end?
If I keep saying no, will it wane anyhow?
The thought of this world being in peril ought to have been Dan’s only concern, but neither his heart nor other parts was willing to ignore the Norwegian dilemma at his side.
14Ellie
“I can take us to where the barrier should be,” Prospero said as they stood outside the chief witch’s cabin.
The chief witch had slammed the door on them, as if they were a problem, and Ellie was debating whether or not it would be painfully unwise to knock on it to say something about what an ass he was being.
Ellie didn’t like him, but she shoved that thought down. “I can’t guarantee much of a fix on the barrier, but…” She shrugged. She couldn’t craft illusions, but she could make other things.Maybe this was what the prophecy meant? Is this the thing I do to save Crenshaw?Prophecies were notoriously muddy things, and the specifics of the prophecy weren’t things she had heard directly.
