Page 132

Chaperoning, I've discovered, is basically walking around looking suspiciously at teenagers.

I greet parents.

Compliment costumes.

Redirect two sophomore Vampire boys who seem convinced the broom closet is part of the festivities.

It is not.

I confiscate a flask from a senior Warlock.

“Professor Daniels!”

“Don't Professor Daniels me. You know the rules.”

“It's apple cider.”

I unscrew the cap and sniff. My eyebrows shoot up.

“Unless apples have recently begun fermenting themselves into bourbon, try again.”

He looks impressed.

“How did you know?”

“I'm thirty-six, not dead.”

I hand the flask to Professor Jacobs. Ignore it when he takes a swig. And shake my head when he offers it to me next.

Across the ballroom, Dora catches my eye. She's dancing with Wulfy. And they look disgustingly happy.

She gives me an enthusiastic thumbs-up. I roll my eyes.

Truce firmly established.

The ballroom itself is breathtaking.

The enchanted ceiling shows a moonlit sky overhead, complete with drifting clouds and thousands of stars. Floating candles hover above the dance floor.

The Academy ghosts have apparently negotiated their participation because translucent couples occasionally waltz through the crowd, sending students shrieking and laughing out of their way.

Beyond the tall windows, the actual full moon hangs enormous and silver over the grounds.

I stare at it for a moment.

The Festival falls on the full moon this year.

Wulfy's warning comes back to me.

Things have been known to happen on full moons.

Weirdo.

I still have no idea what he was talking about.

“Pardon me.”

Every muscle in my body tightens.