“And we know that he’s been quiet,” I say. “Nothing but flibbertigibbets since June.”
Agatha folds her arms. “But the Humdrum’s still out there eating magic, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” I acknowledge. “But not as much. I saw my dad on the weekend, and he said the holes are spreading much more slowly than usual.” I add this to my notes in the air.
“We don’t know that he eats it,” Simon says. “We don’t knowwhatthe Humdrum does with the magic.”
“Sticking to what we do know…” I say, and write,2. The War with the Old Families.
“I wouldn’t call it a ‘war,’” Agatha says.
“But there have been skirmishes, yeah?” Simon says. “And duels.”
Agatha huffs. “Well, you can’t walk into someone’s house and demand to go through their attic without expecting a few duels.”
Simon and I both turn to look at her. “What do you mean?” I ask.
“The Mage,” Agatha says. “I heard Mother talking to a friend from the club. He’s been raiding magicians’ houses, looking for dark magic.”
This is all news to me. “Has he raided your house?”
“He wouldn’t,” Agatha says. “My father’s on the Coven.”
“What sort of dark magic?” Simon asks.
“Probably anything that can be used as a weapon,” Agatha says.
“Anythingcanbe used as a weapon,” Simon says.
I add to my notes:Raids, dark magic, duels.
“And we know that the Old Families have kept some of their sons from Watford,” Simon adds.
“Which could just be coincidence,” I say. “We should do some legwork—maybe the missing boys just went to university.”
“Or maybe they’re tired of being treated like villains,” Agatha says.
“Or maybe,” Simon says, “they’re joining an army.”
I add to my notes:Pitch allies leaving school.
Simon’s getting jumpy. “What about Baz?”
Agatha runs her hand along the mattress.
“We’ll get there,” I say. “Let’s stay focused on what we know.”
He keeps pushing. “Miss Possibelf thinks he’s missing. She said his dad sounded scared.”
I sigh and add a third column:3. Baz.But there’s nothing to write underneath it.
“I still don’t think it’sa war,” Agatha insists. “It’s just politics, just like in the Normal world. The Mage has power, and the Old Families want it back. They’ll bitch and moan and cut deals and throw parties—”
“It’s not just politics.” Simon leans towards her, pointing. “It’s right and wrong.”
Agatha rolls her eyes. “But that’s what the other side says, too.”
“Is that what Baz says?” he asks.
