I stopped when I saw Ivy blocking my path, her gaze pinning me. I tilted my head to the side, waiting for her to say something as she clutched her books to her chest. She took a deep breath and let out a silent sigh. Her shoulders rolled back so she stood taller, and she took the few steps left between us.
“I need to talk to you,” she whispered, her glare losing a touch of its harshness. “It’s about that night and the book.”
It had been a week sincethatnight. I glanced around. No one was in sight, so I impatiently nodded for her to go on.
“Um …” She squirmed. “First, thank you, and I guess I’m sorry. Second, the book … the spell wasn’t supposed to go like that. It was supposed to help enhance our powers, not summon those creatures. It had an odd presence.”
“What do you mean by an odd presence?” My brows narrowed.
“It just didn’t feel right.” Ivy glanced around, her eyes darting everywhere. “The spell had been changed, and I don’t know how, but when I was performing it, Ithoughtof you. It manifested differently.”
“Youthought of me?” If my eyebrows could raise any farther, they’d be touching the vaulted ceiling.
“I don’t know …” She sighed. “Like … like your name just popped into my head and that those things were meant to find you. It was like waving your shirt in front of a bloodhound.”
“So a power amplifying spell was turned into a summoning creation spell?” I asked, unconvinced.
“It was only supposed to be temporary.” She waved a hand in the air. “I didn’t know it was going to do …that.”
“Did you inform Headmaster John that it was you?” I asked.
She shook her head. Of course she didn’t.
“I didn’t tell him how they were summoned. I returned the book that night.” Her paranoia got the best of her as she glanced behind me. “But he did give Gwen and me detention every day for two weeks, including the weekends. He said it was for skipping class.”
The headmaster was smart. Surely, he had suspected more and that long of a detention hadn’t been just for skipping class.
“How did you return the book?” The doors were usually spelled and locked.
“I hid in here until closing. The doors were unlocked. No spells. Nothing. I was going to see what I could do—I hadn’t expected them to be unlocked.”
I felt a presence and glanced up. Ender stood on the next level, leaning over the railing. Ivy followed my gaze, her jaw clicking shut when she saw him.
She dipped her head. “No one knows about the book, and I didn’t tell anyone about you.”
She made haste and left the library. Did she just blackmail me? She knew I wasn’t a level two. She also must have assumed there was a reason I had played my magic so low.
I glanced up at Ender, who had begun walking toward the stairs. I continued to my table, setting my books down, then turned to face my visitor.
“What was that about?” Ender asked.
“Oddly enough, she thanked me,” I answered. His lips pursed—he knew it was more than that. “And she apologized,” I added, though does addingI guessto an apology make it an apology?
“Did she give you specifics …” He cocked his head ever so slightly. “For her apology, that is?”
“No.” My cheeks flushed as he took a step closer, invading my personal space. “I would assume for all of herhilariousinsecure and narcissistic bullying?”
“Because that is veryhilarious.” His annoying playful half-grin showed for a split second, then vanished as he silently watched me.
My heart ramped itself up to an uneven pace and I internally struggled to subdue whatever emotions were betraying my body. Yes, Ender was invading my space, but I could handle him. Whatever Ivy had done was risky, and the information she had just informed me of would be harmful to anyone who knew. Ender had made a great ally in taking down those rock creatures, but he didn’t need to know about the—
“Was it about the book?” His face was set, practically demanding an answer.
“A book?” I played dumb, my voice awkwardly pitching up a couple octaves.
Ender slowly shook his head and glanced off to the side before looking back at me.
“I saw it in her hands that night. It’s dangerous.” He searched my face. “Selene …” His voice was low and hoarse. “If—”
