by Ilana Waters
“Believe me, the pleasure was all mine,” I replied. We kissed some more, my hand stroking her smooth, white throat, my heart pounding like it always did. Then, I laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Colleen asked.
“Would you ever have believed we’d end up like this? Remember that first day, when we were at each other’s throats with swords?”
“Not the worst way to start a relationship, to my mind.”
“You’re mad!” I laughed again. “Though I have to admit, the fighting was kind of a turn-on. All that hitting each other, the panting.”
“Why do you think I suggested to Greggers that we take care of the gym together? We hardly have any of the same classes. We’re not in the same house. How else was I supposed to get to know you?”
“Clever girl.” I couldn’t stop smiling. “Though I didn’t enroll at Equinox expecting to find love.”
“But you did, my dear.” Kiss. “Are you saying you’re disappointed?”
I hesitated. “Let me put it this way. You hit me like a tank.”
She sighed, burying her head in my shoulder. From there, she trailed tiny, shivering kisses up my neck. “I was thinking,” she whispered, “we never really got a chance to talk about what happened. How we . . . you know.” The kisses turned to tiny sucking motions. My knees started trembling. “We’re going to have to grab another opportunity to you know very, very soon.”
“Yeah.” I grinned stupidly, wrapping my arms around Colleen and moving them over her back. Then, I stopped. The smile fell from my face. “Wait. How are we going to do that? Term’s over. You’re going back home soon, and I’m leaving for the States.”
“Well, silly.” She traced one long, soft fingertip around my collar. “It looks like you’ll just have to come back to Equin next year.”
My smile returned. “I guess it does.” I held Colleen close, staring dreamily over her shoulder into the darkness of the garden.
But the blissful moment didn’t last long. “There they are!” I heard Miles shouting. Flushed and sweaty, he and Pen ran onto the terrace, laughing and trying to catch their breath. An attempt had been made to slick down his shiny black hair with some kind of product. But hours of dancing had ruffled it again, and the bow tie from his tux was askew. Pen was in a short, emerald-green dress with matching necklace and earrings. Like Rosemary, she’d curled her hair and put it up. But half of it had come undone now.
“Shoulda known they’d be sucking face.” Miles grabbed my arm. “C’mon. You two gits need to get inside,” he urged.
“Yeah.” Pen took Colleen’s arm, and she and I found ourselves pulled back to the ballroom. “In case you didn’t notice, there’s a little soiree going on in there.”
The ballroom was as crowded and noisy as I remembered. But I was ready for it now. Chinese lanterns floated magically in the air. They flashed on and off over the center of the room that served as the dance floor. Lit candelabras stood on long tables against the walls. You could barely see the tables’ surfaces amid the food piled high on glistening silver trays. Somewhere in the distance, a combination of violins, pan flutes, and rock music blared. In the middle of the ceiling, rotating like a slow-moving disco ball, was the Chalice, steady and shining till Specs hid it for next year.
We quickly found Imogen, Suyin, and the air team near a table bursting with all manner of deserts. There were pies, cakes, tarts, custards, and puddings—some under domed glass.
“Our hero!” Liza waved as we approached.
“Captain!” Jae waved as well. There were excited cries from the rest of the team. Someone made up a plate of goodies and handed it to me.
“You know,” I said, my mouth full of pudding, “I do wish someone would recognize the other heroes in this.” I jutted my chin to Pen, Miles, and Suyin. “Really, you lot know I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Well, some people were recognized, after a fashion.” Imogen delicately picked up a tart between two fingers. “Or didn’t you hear? Miles was chosen as the House of Water prefect for next year.” Miles smiled widely.
“Miles, you dog!” I hit him with the back of my spoon. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you wouldn’t have heard me over the snogging noises you and Colleen were making.” Miles grabbed two tarts and crammed them in his mouth. Colleen zapped him in the neck with static magic.
“Well, I’m still prefect for House of Fire,” she said, turning back to me. “And Specs said you can still be the same for air, Josh, if you want to.”
“I don’t know . . .” I ate a few more spoonfuls of pudding. “I’ll have to think about it. I may have had my fill of upper management. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
Still, serving as boss man for a while seemed to have its perks. Now, students were pointing excitedly at me. Parents smiled and nodded their approval. I could tell my tenure as Equinox’s prime outcast had ended. Now that I was no longer feared and reviled, the role of prefect and House of Air captain had everyone seeing me in a new light. The others noticed me looking around, and thought I was admiring the party.
“Not a bad shindig for an ‘overblown scavenger hunt,’ eh?” Miles asked.
“Er, well, yes. I mean . . . all right,” I sighed. “I guess I shouldn’t have been so dismissive about Tournament before. About winning the Chalice.” It does feel wonderful to finally succeed at something. What I had now was more valuable than cheap, empty popularity. I had respect. Renown.
And it was worth more to me than everyone knew. Tournament had made me realize something: I wasn’t destined to be my father. I didn’t have to slaughter a continent of people. But maybe I’d been putting off that realization for a while. Because if I wasn’t going to be like him, it begged the question, “Who was I going to be?”
There was no one like me on earth. Literally. I was the only half-breed mage, the only impossible-born child of a witch and a vampire. There was no template for how I should live. No role model, no blueprint. And although that was incredibly freeing, it was also terrifying. What if I did it wrong? What if I ended up being even worse than my father? Or I could suffer the same fate as my mother: dead before my time. This getting through life was a tricky proposition.
“We forgive you, Josh,” Imogen said, snapping me out of my reverie. “But I still can’t believe you all didn’t get in trouble for helping him.” She moved her finger in a circle around Miles, Pen, and Suyin.
“It’s like Josh said.” Miles picked up a punch glass and took a long sip. “It was all above board. Completely planned out with Specs. I mean, we couldn’t have known everything that would happen. But we said that whatever Victor had up his sleeve, when the time came, we would be there.”
“In fact, maybe it’s us who should be asking forgiveness.” Pen looked at me over her punch glass. “Really, Josh, we’re sorry for ever doubting you. We should’ve known you weren’t capable of those terrible things you were accused of.”
I waved her apology away. “It’s okay. You came through in the end, when I needed you. That’s what counts. I am sorry the fire team didn’t win, though.”
“Oy!” said Rami. “So you’re sorry we won?”
“Well, it should’ve been a tie, at least.” I put down my empty pudding goblet. “They deserved it.”
“We’re just happy Victor was caught.” Colleen looked over the custards. “And that you turned out not to be my attempted murderer, dear. Besides, fire’ll have another chance to win next year. And we will. I’m sure of it.”
Pen shook her head. “I still couldn’t believe when I heard, though. About the magic hidden beneath the rosebush. And the Chalice! It was right under our noses the whole time.”
Miles snorted. “You mean right under Specs’s nose.”
Pen rolled her eyes. “Same thing. And you know, Josh, you probably also saved the life of that whistleblower witch. Or whoever it was Victor and his parents were planning on doing away wi
th. The Council ought to grant you a medal for this.”
“I think they’ve got their hands full trying to decide suitable punishments for Victor and his scummy family,” I said. Again, the very thought was enough to send me grinning.
“Good thing they got to him before I did,” Colleen grumbled. “Or he’d know what the revenge of a fire witch really feels like.”
“What do you think the Council’ll do with him?” Rami asked in a low voice. “With Mr. and Mrs. Wright? Think they’ll be put to death?”
I shook my head. “Unlikely.” Tempting, but unlikely. “But I do wager they’ll be locked up where they can’t hurt anyone for a long, long time. Maybe forever. It’s their own fault, anyway. Especially Victor’s.” I poured myself some punch. “Too bad he didn’t realize that life is about more than who your parents are.”
Colleen reached down and squeezed my hand. For you, too, you know, she thought to me.
“But Josh, aren’t you nervous about what he said before? When Pen and Su dragged him out of Specs’s office?” Grace asked. “Aren’t you scared he’ll try to seek revenge on you?”
“Please.” I waved my punch in their direction. “Once the Council gets through with him, the only thing he’ll be seeking is amnesty.” Which I doubt they’ll grant.
“You know, speaking of amnesty,” Liza pushed around crumbs on her plate, “what do you think will happen to Roger and Nadine? And Geoffrey?”
“They were always pretty tight with Victor,” Suyin agreed. “Not as tight as Dirk and Mason, but still. Do you think they were in on his plan?”
“Nah.” I held my punch up to Colleen, and she took a sip. “They probably hung around Victor because that’s where they thought the power was. Looks like they’ll have to get by on their charm, now.”
Pen laughed into her punch. “Gods help ’em.”
“Yeah,” Imogen said. “The last time I saw them, Nadine and Geoff were screaming, cursing, throwing things, and kicking turf. Just because they learned House of Fire lost. And then I heard Nadine and Roger broke up.”
“Awww, too bad.” I put the empty punch glass on the table. “Now, Dirk and Mason, on the other hand—” I started.
“So glad you could join us, Mr. Alderman.” I heard a familiar, droning voice over my shoulder. “I was beginning to think you were taking up permanent residence on the terrace.”
I turned around to see Specs back in his old form. Short hair, glasses . . . everything. Why did he change back? I wondered. Everyone who was in his office a few hours ago already saw his true form. Why doesn’t he just stay that way?
Specs looked me straight in the eye, as if he knew what I was thinking. But that’s impossible. Fae can’t read thoughts, can they? Then, a voice echoed through my head, like tinkling glass. It was Specs, letting me read his thoughts.
Yes, my appearance. It’s one less thing for students to talk about, to distract from their studies. The headmaster must be the leader of the school first, and a fae second. I saw something of a shared understanding in his keen eyes. All this time, it never occurred to me that Specs might be fighting his own battle, all by himself. Of course he knew I hadn’t defaced Cerridwen, or done those other things I was accused of. But he also knew that exoneration wasn’t a battle he could fight for me.
I swallowed. “Ah, no, sir. Not moving onto the terrace.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“And, ah, by the way, sir . . . thank you for saving my life.”
“Yes, thanks, awfully,” a few of my friends chimed in. Colleen just smiled.
“Well,” Specs adjusted his glasses, “I could hardly have acted differently, considering the circumstances. I’m only glad the plan went . . . according to plan. After a fashion, that is. But I knew you’d figure out what Mr. Wright was up to, eventually. We all owe you a debt of gratitude, Mr. Alderman.” He gave me a sharp nod, which I returned. “But don’t think that this is the last enemy you’ll have to face. I hate to inform you, but there will always be others, waiting to strike.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I know.” And I’ll be ready.
“It is a shame about Mr. Jasser and Mr. Krone, though,” he sighed wearily. “Perhaps it’s not fitting to say, but if I had my druthers, they wouldn’t get within ten feet of a diploma.”
“What?” I felt my jaw go slack, and Colleen and I looked at one another in disbelief. “Mason and Dirk . . . you mean they’re graduating?”
“So it would seem,” Specs said, in a tone one might use to tell a person their grandmother died.
“Bollocks!” Jae made a face.
“What utter rubbish.” Liza tossed her plate on the table behind her.
“But . . . but they helped Victor commit all those crimes!” Miles protested.
“Yeah, including wiping out Oliver’s magic and almost murdering me.” Colleen put her hands on her hips.
“Believe me, Ms. McKay, I share your indignation.” Specs removed his glasses and polished them with a small cloth. “But, unfortunately, it’s Mr. Wright’s word against theirs. He’s saying they were accomplices to his crimes. They’re saying they knew nothing about them. That the only thing Mr. Wright asked them to do was illegally help him increase fire’s odds of winning the Chalice. Therefore, at present, all we can prove Mr. Krone and Mr. Jasser guilty of is cheating at Tournament. That by itself didn’t endanger anyone. And, since Tournament is considered an extracurricular activity, not an academic one, they cannot be expelled.” More outraged cries from the group. I was about to join in, when I remembered something Specs said.
You must choose.
Choose where the ball will land by throwing it in the right direction. Pick your battles, essentially. You aren’t going to win them all. It wasn’t worth it to try and prove Dirk and Mason were more involved in Victor’s crimes. I probably wouldn’t succeed. I’d just have to be satisfied with putting Victor and his family away. Brilliant. If my life was likely to be filled with fights, I would have to choose what to fight for.
But maybe, by narrowing my focus, I can make those fights worthwhile. Only time would tell.
“Look, guys, just forget it.” I blew a puff of air out of my cheeks. “There’s nothing we can do. Let’s not let it ruin tonight. There’s still hours of party left to—”
“What are you doing here?” I heard Zaira call out from a few feet away. We all turned to see her in a ruffled, purple dress, looking up at Dirk and Mason.
“Mr. Krone. Mr. Jasser.” Specs marched over. “As the two of you went against the rules of fair play during Tournament, you are forbidden from attending its annual feast. Do you not understand what it means to be confined to your room, with the exception of mealtimes, until graduation?”
Dirk and Mason looked at Specs—then me—defiantly. I knew they hated me for bringing them down. I could feel them daring me to make a move, or say something. My face started to burn, magic gathering automatically in my hands.
“Well, there’s food here, ain’t there?” Mason finally said. He reached behind Zaira, took a piece of cake from a tray, and shoved it in his mouth. My friends and I exchanged glances.
Can’t believe he’s talking to the headmaster like that.
Probably thinks there’s nothing more Specs can do to him.
He better hope Specs doesn’t try to prove him wrong.
Specs took a deep breath and got a steely look in his eye. Can he faerie bind two people at once? I wondered.
“Ms. Jambs,” Specs said, “will you escort these . . . gentlemen back to their rooms, where they will remain?”
“I think little Miss Jambs is too small to be escorting us anywhere,” Dirk said.
Yeah, Mason thought. All of us but Specs could hear. And if she tries, she might just find her tiny, water-witch self stuffed into a locker.
Zaira narrowed her eyes. You’d better be careful. Zaira’s thoughts were for Mason, but again, everyone with the exception of Specs could hear. Don’t go
around being a menace to people after you leave Equin—you or Dirk. If you do, I swear, I will find you. I’ll take the secretions of the Bufo torrenuculus and shove them down your larynx.
The what of the what in my what? Cake fell from Mason’s mouth as his thoughts dissolved into laughter. Dirk joined in.
The Bufo torrenuculus, stupid. Zaira’s thoughts dripped with disdain. Latin name of one of the seven most deadly toads in North Africa. Highly toxic—even to witches. Effects of ingestion include convulsions, inability to control bodily fluids, paralysis, and death.
And out of left field comes Zaira, Colleen thought-whispered.
Something in Zaira’s tone made Mason stop chewing. The smile faded from his face. Even Dirk looked worried.
A . . . toad? Mason stiffened. You won’t do that.
Oh, yes, I will. Mummy and Daddy are taking me on a safari this summer. I’ll have plenty of opportunity to acquire the secretions. They’re tasteless, odorless, and dissolve instantly, like, like . . .
“Iocaine powder,” I coughed.
Yes. Just like eye-o-cane powder. Zaira stepped right in front of Mason, the ruffles on her dress making a swishing noise. She glowered at him, though the top of her head came up only to his chin. I could sprinkle it onto your food. You would die. Slowly. Painfully. And no one would ever find out who did it.
Dirk took a wide step back. Mason swallowed hard. “Never mind, Headmaster,” he coughed. “Me and Dirk will be getting back to our rooms, now.”
“Yeah.” Dirk’s head bobbed up and down in agreement. He continued backing away from Zaira. “Just came down to get a quick snack is all.” He grabbed some tarts from the table and stuffed them in his pockets.
“Back. You. Go. Then,” Specs said icily. They scuttled away. The heat around my face dissipated, along with the magic in my hands. Zaira smiled widely at us, and winked at me.
“Don’t worry, Headmaster,” she said. “I’ll ask Professor Yen to put some wards around their rooms, to make sure they stay there this time.”