My tablet, sitting on the workbench next to a pile of shriveled sage leaves, flashes urgently.
I don't even need to swipe. The notification is there, in huge font, on the home screen.
REASSIGNMENT:WILSON, THEODORA
CURRENT:DEFECTIVUM
NEW:ELECTUS (HIGH TOWER - SUITE 3B)
What the! No! I’ll be separated from the girl—and Ludo.
Shivers run through my body. And I’ll be in with all the Elites.
At least it’s not as terrifying as it would have been a few weeks ago. I’ll have Donovan and Max close.
And Cosmo.
And Wes.
“Theo…”
Willow is staring at her own screen, eyes wide. "I'm being moved to Communis," she whispers. “What about you?”
“Electus.”
“Darn it!”—What about the kid? We can’t abandon her—
We both look across the classroom to where Dunc sits with his lab partner, then slide out of our seats to go to him.
"I’m staying put," he grunts, slumping his head on the desk then angling his face towards us. “The Conclave obviously don’t think I’m worth promoting. My family has money, but not the squillions that Havengard Elite respect. And neither of my parents are involved in anything important or political.”
Willow pats Duncan on the back. “This hierarchy stuff is all bullshit. But honestly, I’m relieved you’ll still be there. You’re going to have to…”
I finish her sentence internally.
—You’ll have to be in charge of the girl. You and Ludo—
Duncan swallows. —I don’t think children like me. Shit. What do you say to kids? I hope she likes video games—
Willow pats his arm. “You’ve got this.”
A thought occurs to me. “And I think you should move into my basement room,” I murmur.
A flicker of resignation passes over Duncan’s face then he nods. “Yeah, that will be for the best.”
My phone vibrates in the pocket.
I pull out the cell and see a text from Alexis.
ALEXIS:Newsflash- I’m now Electus House supervisor—see you at check-in.
Before I have a chance to reply, he changes to telepathy.
—Let the others know that the Conclave is introducing a new magic signature biometric scanner. Students will only have access to their assigned houses—
So, good news—having Alexis in charge of the Elite wing.
And bad news—fraternization with other houses is going to be difficult, if not impossible.
