“Stop. You can do your best, butonlyas long as you survive it,” Scylla retorted. “I want Aggie stopped, but not at the cost of your life. Remember that.”
Prospero couldn’t reply to that. Logically, she understood, but emotionally, she had no time for caution.
“I’ll send a few guards I trust to stand watch since the headmastercannot barricade the infirmary door.” Prospero summoned Bernice as she stepped into the hallway outside the infirmary. “Guards, please.”
Bernice gave a singular nod and vanished.
When Prospero looked up, she was both relieved and alarmed to find Ellie sitting there in a rocking chair that had never been in that hallway before—and, in fact, had not been there when Prospero had walked past that spot any day of late.
“Redecorating?” Prospero said lightly.
“Who’s in the infirmary?” Ellie nodded toward the door.
“Still Scylla, but Sondre is in there now, too.” Prospero walked forward and extended a hand toward Ellie.
She accepted Prospero’s hand, stood, and then stepped past her. “You are blood-drenched again.” Ellie sniffed and crinkled her nose. “And you smell of fire.”
Something was obviously bothering Ellie. It didn’t take magic to see that. And Prospero wasn’t sure she wanted to ask, but they already had enough distance between them. For a moment, she wished that they could’ve met in another time and place. She wished there were an easier path they could walk toward finding a future, but wishes were pointless in this case. Prospero pivoted and extended an arm toward Ellie, uncommonly grateful when Ellie didn’t flinch away.
“Are you safe?” Ellie’s voice was tight with some sort of strain.
“Now? Yes.”
“Tell me what happened,” Ellie insisted.
Prospero said, “I faced Agnes, and it went poorly. Sondre was injured as well. The witch we were to retrieve was killed… also by Agnes.”
“So where does that leave you?”
“In need of more information,” Prospero admitted. “I need someone believable to talk to Howie.” She took a steadying moment. “Any ideas?”
“Actually, I know someone… unless you think threatening him again would help?” Ellie sounded almost hopeful.
“Not for this. I need stealth.” Prospero brushed a kiss over Ellie’s lips quickly. “If I needed someone terrifying, though, I’d ask you.”
Ellie laughed. “I wasn’t going to hurt him.”
“He didn’t know that.”
“Come with me, then. I have a friend who might be good at helping us,” Ellie said, tugging Prospero along with her. “Then I want to go home with you.”
“Is there a reason to go to the house?” Prospero asked.
“Someone watches the castle rooms,” Ellie said mildly as she rested her hand lightly on Prospero’s extended arm. “I’m not sure why I know that now, but I do.”
Prospero glanced at her. “You used to know it.”
“I figured as much,” Ellie said. “I would like a private evening with you. There are no classes in the morning for some reason. First, though, follow me.”
“Your wish is my command.” Prospero kept pace with her as they walked.
Hopefully, the day might end better than it had been going. She wasn’t expecting the sort of evening she wanted—and that Ellie had wanted of late—but today, a nice drink and falling asleep with Ellie at her side sounded like bliss.
28Dan
Of all the things that Dan might have expected, finding Ellie Brandeau and Lady Prospero at his door wasn’t on the list. He was sitting in his desk chair reading a book he’d checked out of the library, after filling a card out that vanished into wherever checked cards went, and Axell was sitting on the edge of the bed with a lute, writing a song, when there was a tap at the door.
Dan opened it and froze. Fear tangled around him as he looked at the woman he’d helped mentally erase as she was fighting to escape and the woman responsible for that heinous act. They were holding hands.
