“Wait—you actually brought a wand?” Lily-Anne asks.
“Of course. How else will I manage all the mischief that’s in need of managing?”
She raises the wand and presses a button.“Lumos!”
The tip lights up, casting a pale blue glow into the room beyond.
“Brilliant,” Willoughby says. “Where did you get it?”
“Online,” Ellenor says proudly. “Don’t worry, Lily, I got you one too.”
She digs out another wand, this one smoother in appearance. “Here.”
Lily-Anne takes it hesitantly. “I thought the wand chooses the wizard?”
“Yeah, but this one wasn’t picky.”
“Gee, thanks.” She raises her wand and presses the button.
Nothing happens.
“No batteries?” she asks Ellenor.
“Sorry. I forgot.”
Lily-Anne shrugs. “That’s okay. It’s still cool.”
As Ellenor prepares to lead the charge into the castle, I touch Lily-Anne’s arm.
“We can wait out here if you’d prefer not to go inside.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure if—”
“Don’t worry—we’ll be in and out in a jiffy,” Jack interrupts.
I fix him with a hard look. “Let her speak.”
He lifts his hands, unrepentant. “Sorry, Lil. I just don’t want you to miss out on thereal, authenticWhitstable Castle. Not the guided-tour version.”
He’s talking. And he’s good at it.
Lily-Anne hovers, uncertain. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Neither do I,” I state.
“Comeon,” Ellenor pleads to her sister. “Let’s have an adventure!”
“What if we’re caught?” Lily-Anne asks.
“I won’t let that happen,” Jack says solemnly. “But if we are, I’ll take full responsibility.”
“Will you, now?” I ask softly.
Were that true, I’d stand corrected: behold, a reformed Jack Willoughby.
He pretends not to hear me, and I tense as Nova’s voice floats from within the dark doorway.
“Do you see it now?”
