Twobble’s voice came out small for once. “That’s not good.”
No. It wasn’t.
Because Gideon didn’t disappear without a reason, and if the Priestess was hunting him, then either he was running, or he was setting something in motion, or he had already been caught.
And if she thought he was at fault, then she was looking for someone to punish publicly. Someone to make into a warning. Someone to prove she still held the threads.
“Where is the Priestess? Still at her compound?” I asked, forcing my brain to function again.
Skonk shook his head. “We don’t know. There’s movement and shadows traveling faster than they should. They’ve seen messages carried through smoke. So, something big is shifting.”
Twobble lifted his clipboard like it could defend us. “Everything is shifting.”
Skonk’s gaze flicked past us, toward the entry hall where students were beginning to drift into the banquet hall.
“You were going to gather them,” he said.
“Yes,” I replied, voice steadier now. “But my message has suddenly changed.”
Skonk’s eyes held mine.
“Maeve, if she’s hunting Gideon, she’s not only angry. She’s irrational.”
That word landed with weight.
Unsettled meant she’d been surprised.
And a surprised enemy was dangerous in unpredictable ways.
I touched Skonk’s arm briefly, grounding both of us. “Thank you. Go back to the UnderSoot. Tell them to keep listening.If they hear anything about where Gideon is, I need to know immediately.”
Skonk nodded and spun away.
Twobble stared after his twin cousin, and then looked up at me. His expression tried to be brave, but I could tell he was worried, too.
“You’re pale,” he said quietly.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
Twobble’s eyes narrowed. “That was a terrible lie, Maeve. Have I not taught you anything?”
“I don’t have time to fall apart,” I said quietly. “Not today.”
Twobble lifted his chin. “Good. Because the witches are gathering, and they look ready to invent theories.”
“Well, after this, I need you to find Skonk and head to the UnderLoom for foraging. I had to stop a spat about supplies and volunteered you two.”
“Great.” He eyed me.
I forced myself back into motion and walked toward the banquet hall. I knew my students would be waiting. With their sharp midlife instincts, I knew that they could sniff out dishonesty in a heartbeat, so I'd better figure this out.
As I walked, one thought repeated with a steady, brutal clarity.
If I didn’t unify them now, distrust would do it for me.
And if distrust won, the Priestess wouldn’t even need to storm the Academy.
She’d simply watch us tear ourselves into pieces and call it fate.
